BLM plans prescribed burn in Socorro County
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Socorro, N.M. – Between Feb. 10 and March 15, the Bureau of Land Management’s Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with the New Mexico State Land Office and private landowners, will be burning sacaton grass draws east of Socorro, N.M., weather permitting. Up to 1,200 acres of grass and brush will be burned in two separate burn units. One unit is located 10-20 miles north of U.S. Highway 380 at mile marker 13 and 15 miles east-southeast of Socorro. The second unit is located two miles north and east of Bingham, N.M.
Active ignition will take one to two days for each individual burn unit, with some smoke visible in the burn areas for up to a week after ignition operations are completed. Firefighters will monitor the burn until there is no visible smoke. Smoke may also be visible from Socorro, White Sands Missile Range, Bingham and U.S. Highway 380.
The objectives for the burn are to rejuvenate decadent grasses, reduce wildfire risk, reduce tree encroachment into sacaton draws, improve watershed health and enhance wildlife habitat. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to control vegetation. By reducing the volume of vegetation under prescribed conditions, land managers mimic the natural fire cycle, which greatly reduces the dangers and risks associated with unplanned wildfires.
Prior to and during all prescribed fires, fire managers 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/.
Questions about the burn should be directed to the BLM’s Socorro Field Office at 575-835-0412. You can also follow implementation of this project on NMFireInfo.com, on Twitter @nmfireinfo or on 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.