Gila National Forest also burning piles at Beaverhead and Luna

SILVER CITY, NM, January 31, 2024 – A recent shot of moisture has created ideal conditions for burning slash piles on the Gila National Forest. Along with starting to burn 800 acres of slash piles on the Quemado Ranger District near Luna, 365 acres of slash piles on the Black Range Ranger District near Beaverhead, along the north end of Forest Road 150 (North Star Road) as previously reported, the Silver City Ranger District also plans to burn about 5 acres of slash piles in the Little Cherry Creek area, located about 2 miles north of Pinos Altos.

"The primary goal of burning slash piles is to reduce the load of hazardous fuels near community values at risk," said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. "Prescribed fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, improves habitat for threatened and endangered species and promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants."

Gila National Forest has completed 1,979 acres of prescribed fire since the beginning fiscal year 2024 on October 1. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective methods available to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain our ecosystem within our National Forests and Grasslands. Over a century of scientific data has shown that when prescribed fires and other forest thinning projects are placed strategically on the landscape and around communities, wildfire behavior is less severe, and firefighters have a better and safer chance to stop the fire and minimize its impacts.

Signs will be posted in areas where prescribed burning is taking place. Smoke may be visible along New Mexico Highway 15, and in Santa Clara. It can be expected to settle into valleys and low-lying areas, especially at night and in the early morning, normally decreasing as daytime weather prevails. Air quality 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 https://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management /. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211.