Prescribed fire planned for Southern Galiuro Mountains
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SAFFORD, Ariz. - The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Safford Field Office and Gila District Fire Management Office will conduct a multiple day prescribed burn in the southern Galiuro Mountains. Blacklining operations will take place between Feb. 15 and March 30. Interior burning operations will take place between March 30 and May 30, pending appropriate weather conditions.
The Rockhouse Burn will cover approximately 10,962 acres of BLM, state, and private land in the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area, located 40 miles northeast of Tucson. The BLM will announce specific dates in advance of the operation.
Prescribed fires are intended to mimic natural fire frequency and intensity. They improve the health of the ecosystem by stimulating growth of desirable grasses, reducing invasive shrub species and managing fuel loads so that natural fires are less destructive. Large prescribed burns have been conducted in the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area since 1995.
The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area contains 55,000 acres of desert grasslands and seven permanently flowing waterways under the stewardship of the BLM, Coronado National Forest and The Nature Conservancy. The three organizations work together to conserve and enhance the ecosystems in the area while providing recreation opportunities such as hunting, hiking and horseback riding. The area is located in Cochise and Graham counties.
“The Muleshoe Ranch has some impressive natural values, and these fire treatments are part of a long-term combined effort to conserve the area,” said Safford Field Office Manager Scott Cooke.
Muleshoe Ranch area roads listed below will be closed from 6 p.m. the day before the first burn period to 6 a.m. the day after the last burn period is completed.
Specific road closures:
- Jackson Cabin Road, from the Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters to Jackson Cabin
Fire crews will monitor the burned area during and after all prescribed burns. Prescribed burn information will be available the day of the burn at the Safford Field office. For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist June Lowery 520-258-7223.
- BLM –
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.