The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a series of prescribed fire projects aimed at enhancing ecosystem health and reducing wildfire risks in the Rio Puerco Field Office area of New Mexico. The projects, which are set to continue through March 2024, will cover a variety of locations and are part of a comprehensive effort to maintain a thriving natural environment.
There are two prescribed burns which will take place near Grants, the other two will also take place in the Cibola National Forest.
The four prescribed burn locations include:
1. Chain of Craters Prescribed Fire:
• Covering 2,500 acres south of State Highway 53 and west of County Road 42, this broadcast/maintenance burn is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Grants, in Cibola County. During the burn, prescribed fire signs will be placed along County Road 42 and at the Continental Divide Trailhead, with smoke potentially visible from State Highways 53 and 117.
2. Cebolla Prescribed Fire:
• Encompassing 5,000 acres, this broadcast/ maintenance burn is located around 40 miles southeast of Grants, N.M., in the Cebolla Canyon area east of State Highway 117. This project, which is part of a multiyear forest restoration effort within the Cebolla Canyon portion of the National Conservation Area, seeks to improve the ecological health of ponderosa pine forests by reducing stand density and preserving grassy meadows that have become overgrown with piñon and juniper trees.
3. Trials Piles Prescribed Fire:
• Covering 55 acres in the San Ysidro Trials Area, this pile burn project is located within the Rio Salado Riparian Area, approximately one mile west of San Ysidro, off Highway 550. The primary objectives are to reduce hazardous fuels and improve riparian habitat. Smoke from this burn will be visible along Highway 550.
4. Mesa Chivato Prescribed Fire:
• Spanning 1,000 acres within the Ignacio Chavez and Chamisa wilderness study areas, this broadcast burn is situated 15 miles southwest of San Luis, N.M., in Sandoval and McKinley counties. Conducted in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, this multi-year forest restoration project aims to enhance the ecological health of ponderosa pine forests by reducing stand density and maintaining grassy meadows that have been impacted by piñon and juniper trees.
The timing for each prescribed burn project is flexible, with each estimated to last up to 7 days. Smoke may linger in the project areas for 2-4 days after the completion of each individual burn.
According to BLM Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist Pete Rivera, 'Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to maintain a healthy ecosystem. 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.'
The BLM emphasizes that each prescribed fire is designed with firefighter and public safety as the utmost priority. Stringent coordination with the New Mexico Environment Department and adherence to air quality regulations are integral aspects of the projects to minimize any potential health impacts from smoke.
For more information about these projects and updates, the public is encouraged to contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office at (505) 761-8700. Additional project details can also be found on the official website NMFire-Info.com and through the BLM's social media channels on Twitter @nmfireinfo and Facebook.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land across 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people, with a mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations