Black Range Ranger District plans prescribed fire near Beaverhead, Poverty Creek, and Kingston
SILVER CITY, NM, Dec. 16, 2024 – The Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District is preparing to implement prescribed fire at multiple locations across the district between now and the end of February 2025. A total of about 200 acres of National Forest System lands are targeted for prescribed fire including slash piles in the Kemp Mesa area off of Forest Road 150 (the North Star Road); at Beaverhead administrative site; off of New Mexico Highway 59 near Poverty Creek; the Poverty Creek community slash disposal site; Kingston administrative site, and the Kingston community slash disposal site.
"Past forest thinning efforts have resulted in slash piles that must be eliminated in order to complete the hazardous fuels treatment," said Black Range District Ranger Bret Mellott. "Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available for reducing fuels on the landscape, and for reducing wildfire risk to adjacent communities and infrastructure."
Smoke production is expected to be minimal but may affect the communities of Poverty Creek and Kinston. Visible smoke should be expected along Forest Road 150, NM Highway 59 and NM Highway 152. Smoke will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department - Air Quality Bureau's regulations are met. Smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory or heart-disease should take precautionary measures. Air quality information and health protection measures are available online at: NM Fire Info | Smoke Management. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
