Truth or Consequences, NM — For Immediate Release. The Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest is sponsoring the Women in Wildland Fire boot camp and second weekend events will occur October 14-15. This boot camp offers a comprehensive introduction to wildland firefighting. The training for this upcoming weekend will include a prescribed burn activity.

The district and the trainees will be burning a 3-5 acre area – with 10' x 10' blocks displaying different ignitions patterns. The burn area will be constrained to the Beaverhead Administrative Site and smoke may be visible around the site.

Fire managers consider forecasted weather, fuel moistures and other conditions to determine optimal windows to conduct controlled burns. Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department's Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met. Smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory or heart disease should take precautionary measures. Air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at the New Mexico Department of Health's website: https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.