BLM plans prescribed burn in Lincoln County
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Roswell, N.M. - In mid-February 2021, the Bureau of Land Management will seek opportunities to conduct prescribed fire operations approximately 10 miles northeast of Ruidoso, N.M. and 6 miles southeast of Capitan, N.M., in Lincoln County. The project area is within the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and will encompass approximately 1,900 acres.
This operation is weather-dependent and will take several days to complete. Smoke from the burn may be visible from Capitan, Lincoln, Ruidoso and other surrounding communities. Signs will be posted along roadways to inform motorists who may potentially be affected by the smoke. Motorists should use caution by reducing speed and watching for fire personnel and equipment.
The purpose of these prescribed burns is to remove slash from recent thinning projects. This action will help to decrease the risk of damage from wildfires and loss to adjacent property. Other goals are to improve watershed and habitat conditions; increase the health, vigor, and competitive ability of the native plant community; and reduce the density of exotic, invasive and introduced plant species.
Prior to and during all prescribed fires, fire managers will coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department and follow all air quality regulations. People who are either susceptible to or affected by COVID-19 may have health conditions that also make them vulnerable to smoke exposure. For more information about smoke and protecting your health, please visit https://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ .
The BLM encourages public land users to continue to be careful with fire. To report a wildfire on public land, please call Alamogordo Interagency Dispatch at 877-695-1663. For more information on this prescribed burn and the BLM fire and hazardous fuels reduction program, please contact Dominic Bell at 575-627-0327. You can also follow the implementation of this project on NMFireInfo.com, on Twitter @nmfireinfo, or facebook.com/nmfireinfo.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.