MIMBRES, NM, November 6, 2024 – As previously reported in September, the Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District is preparing to burn slash piles of previously thinned piñon, juniper and oak brush. The 3 Circles piles are in the 3-Circles area off Hwy 35 just north of Camp Thunderbird, and the Hwy Bravo piles are located in the area south of Gatton's Park. Crews are preparing to burn the Highway Bravo piles on or around Thursday, November 7, pending favorable weather, fuels conditions, and resource availability.
Smoke and firefighter activity will be visible from Hwy 35 and in the Mimbres upper valley. While smoke from these prescribed burns is expected to be minimal, drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground. The Forest Service coordinates prescribed burning with New Mexico Environment Department and follows smoke management guidelines. When smoke impacts are present, New Mexico Department of Health recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Additional air quality information and health protection measures are posted online. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov.
Prescribed fire operations are part of the USDA Forest Service's overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, critical infrastructure and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. For more information, contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
