TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM, June 13, 2024 The Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District began implementing the Highway 59 thinning project today, Thursday, June 13. The work zone is along the roadside from milepost 3 at the forest boundary on New Mexico Highway 59 to the Forest Service Beaverhead Work Center at milepost 30.
"This project has been in the works for the past year between the Black Range District and some of our local and state partners. We are glad to finally begin and are looking forward to seeing the progress we make in the next couple of weeks," said Black Range District Ranger Bret Mellott. "Members of the public are asked to be conscious of their environment while traveling on Highway 59 and be on the lookout for our team out there completing the work."
A 120-foot-wide strip will be treated within 60 feet either side of the highway centerline. Within that corridor, all timber that is 9 inches in diameter at breast height and smaller will be cut, lopped and piled for future burning. All material 10 inches and greater will be limbed up to shoulder height. Cut limbs will be piled along the highway in areas that are clear from other vegetation and away from any infrastructure that could be affected by future fire.
The project begins in the Indian Peaks and Area 74 location due to the density of fuels and lack of visibility at dangerous turns along the route, to assist with the safety of public motorists travelling on the highway.
Community members are encouraged to purchase fuelwood permits to collect the dead and down material as the work is completed.For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
