QUEMADO, NM, Oct. 16, 2024 – The Gila National Forest, Quemado Ranger District is preparing to use prescribed fire to treat approximately 1,718 acres in the Slaughter Mesa area south/southeast of Quemado Lake starting in early- or mid-November as staffing, fuels, and weather conditions allow. The prescribed burn will occur in meadow and ponderosa pine forest habitats, targeting primarily grass and ponderosa pine trees.
Past fire suppression has disrupted a frequent, low-intensity fire regime, allowing ingrowth of trees in meadow and forest habitats in the project area, reducing habitat diversity and forage resources for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. The increasing density of trees in forested areas brings greater risk of stand-replacing wildfire, and threatens habitats of big game, Mexican spotted owl, turkey, northern goshawk, and dozens of other species. In meadow areas, fire will be used to consume grass and small trees, helping to maintain meadow habitats. In forested areas, fire will reduce surface fuels and ladder fuels by burning stumps, logs, and dense pockets of younger trees, helping to restore an uneven-aged forest condition, while reducing ladder fuels that promote stand-replacing wildfire.
"This prescribed fire is part of the Slaughter Mesa Restoration project that includes more than 31,000 acres of the Gila National Forest east and south of Quemado Lake," said Quemado District Ranger Randall Chavez. "This ongoing project is in collaboration with New Mexico Game and Fish to improve wildlife habitat conditions in the project area. By restoring fire to fire-dependent ecosystems, this project increases resiliency and resistance to fire, insect and disease infestation, and climate change." Learn more about the Slaughter Mesa Restoration project at Forest Service (usda.gov).
Some measure of wind helps carry fire through the burn unit, meeting project objectives by promoting more complete consumption of targeted fuels. The Sand Flat prescribed burn is expected to last about one week, with approximately two days of ignitions. Smoke will be visible from New Mexico Highways 12, 32, and 60, from Quemado, Quemado Lake Estates, Reserve, Aragon, and Mangas and will be heaviest during ignitions operations. Smoke output from more densely forested areas in the interior of the burn unit should be expected for about a week, as fire consumes logs, stumps, and other heavier fuels. Information about smoke impacts and recommendations for avoiding health impacts is available at NM Fire Info | Smoke Management. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
