Prescribed burn planned in Lincoln County
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Roswell, N.M. - Beginning in October, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be conducting prescribed burn operations about 10 miles northeast of Ruidoso and 6 miles southeast of Capitan in Lincoln County. The 1,130 acre project will take place within the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area.
These operations are weather dependent and will take several days to complete. The purpose of the prescribed burn is to remove slash from previous thinning projects. This will help to decrease the risk of damage from wildfires and decrease the risk of 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 to reduce the density of exotics, invader and introduced species.
Smoke from the burn may be visible from Capitan, Lincoln, Ruidoso and other surrounding communities. Signs will be posted along roadways to inform motorists that may potentially be affected by smoke. Motorists are reminded to use caution by reducing speed and watching for fire personnel and equipment. The BLM encourages public land users to continue to be careful with fire.
To report a wildfire on public land, please call the Alamogordo Interagency Dispatch at 1-877-695-1663. For more information on this prescribed burn and the BLM fire and hazardous fuels reduction program, please call Nathan Curnutt at 575-627-0311 or visit www.nmfireinfo.com.
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.