Prescribed fire unit still has lop and scatter firewood available, to be burned in early June

MIMBRES, NM, May 10, 2024 – The Wilderness Ranger district of the Gila National Forest plans to implement the Wayne's Tank prescribed fire in early June to reduce hazardous fuel loading on the landscape. The project is located approximately 16 miles north of Mimbres, NM, west of Forest Road 150, along Forest Road 4079P, within the McKenna Mesa designated fuelwood area.

"A contractor previously cut and limbed green juniper to reduce hazardous fuel loading within the project area. The slash from that project is now cured and needs to be burned to complete the hazardous fuels treatment," said Wilderness District Ranger Brian Stultz. "There is still a large amount of firewood available to those with valid firewood permits. I would encourage people to gather it up over the next few weeks before the prescribed fire is implemented."

Staff are keeping a close eye on weather and fuel moisture and coordinating with other units to ensure resources are available when conditions are right to achieve the objectives of this prescribed fire.

Smoke may be visible from the communities of Lake Roberts, Mimbres, and San Lorenzo. There will be smoke impacts to the Mimbres River and Sapillo Creek drainages, and the community of Lake Roberts, especially during overnight and early morning hours. Smoke will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department's Air Quality Bureau's regulations are met. The Forest Service is coordinating with New Mexico Environment Department and will follow 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 respirator mask can help. Additional air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at NM-Tracking - Fires, Smoke and Health. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at https://fire.airnow.gov /. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .