BLM Rio Puerco Field Office schedules four prescribed fires
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Now through March 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to implement four prescribed fire projects. The exact timing of implementation will largely depend upon weather conditions. Each prescribed burn project is estimated to be completed within a 7-day timeframe. Below are details on each project:
- Trials Piles Prescribed Fire – 55 acres (pile burn) located within the San Ysidro Trials Area, which is within the Rio Salado Riparian Area, approximately one mile west of San Ysidro, off Highway 550. Smoke will be visible from Hwy. 550. The goal for this project is to reduce hazardous fuels as well as improve riparian habitat.
- Mesa Chivato Prescribed Fire – 1,000 acres (broadcast burn) located within the Ignacio Chavez and Chamisa wilderness study areas, west of Highway 550 and 15 miles southwest of San Luis, N.M., in Sandoval and McKinley counties. This project is being done in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as part of a multi-year forest restoration project. The objective is to improve ecological health of ponderosa pine forests by reducing stand density and maintaining grassy meadows that have become choked with piñon and juniper trees.
- Chain of Craters Prescribed Fire – 2,500 acres (broadcast/maintenance burn) located south of State Highway 53 and west of County Road 42, approximately 35 miles southwest of Grants, in Cibola County. During the burn, prescribed fire signs will be posted along County Road 42 and at the Continental Divide Trailhead. Smoke may be visible from State Highways 53 and 117.
- Cebolla Prescribed Fire – 5,000 acres (broadcast/maintenance burn) located approximately 40 miles southeast of Grants, N.M. in the Cebolla Canyon area east of State Highway 117. The Cebolla Prescribed Fire is part of a multi-year forest restoration project on the Cebolla Canyon portion of the National Conservation Area. The objective is to improve ecological health of ponderosa pine forests by reducing stand density and maintaining grassy meadows that have become choked with piñon and juniper trees.
“Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to maintain a healthy ecosystem,” said BLM Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist Pete Rivera. “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 wildfires.”
Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve public land
health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter and public safety, enhance wildlife habitat and protect communities and watersheds.
Smoke may be visible in the project area for 2-4 days after completion or each individual burn. Prior to and during all prescribed fires, fire managers coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department and follow all air quality regulations. For more information about smoke and protecting your health, please visit https://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/.
For any questions about these projects, contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office at (505) 761-8700. Follow implementation of these projects 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.