Albuquerque, NM, March 1, 2018 - Fire Managers are planning to execute a few prescribed fires on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District this spring. These are planned ignitions conducted under specific conditions to restore fire dependent ecosystems. These fires promote forest health in many ways such as reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients, and increasing habitat diversity along with reducing the risk of catastrophic wild fires. They are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority and will only be ignited under favorable weather and fuels conditions. The following will be conducted as conditions allow:
- Andrews Prescribed Fire – up to 774 acres will be treated to promote forest health and provide protection to nearby communities. This will be a broadcast burn, meaning that hand ignitions will be used to ignite ground fuels over a widespread area within a clearly defined perimeter. This site is located approximately 14 miles west of Grants, in the Zuni Mountains.
- Corral Prescribed Fire – up to 200 acres will be treated to promote forest health. This will also be a broadcast burn. This site is located approximately 9 miles south of Continental Divide, in the Zuni Mountains.
- Redondo Prescribed Fire – up to 3,412 acres will be treated to promote forest health. This will be a broadcast burn. Both hand and aerial ignition will be used. This site is located approximately 14 miles west of Grants, in the Zuni Mountains.
Prescribed fires are planned in coordination with the New Mexico Department of Environmental Air Quality http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/ and every effort is made to minimize smoke impacts; however, smoke from prescribed fires is inevitable. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. If you have any questions, please contact the Mt. Taylor Fire Management office at 505-287-8833.
Media Contact: Donna Nemeth Phone: 505-346-3894 or 360-951-8486 Email: dnemeth@fs.fed.us
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