Pile Burning in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
SILVER CITY, N.M., Jan. 9, 2015 -As part of a continuing program to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health fire crews are preparing to ignite slash piles at various Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) locations on the Wilderness Ranger District beginning Monday, Jan. 12.
Environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation need to be met before ignitions begin. Recent moisture will help prevent fire from spreading into the surrounding vegetation. The objectives of these burns are to reduce wildfire threat by removing fuels created from past and ongoing thinning projects and return important nutrients to the soil.
Pile burns may be conducted at the following locations:
- Off of Hwy 35 and Elkhorn Road, behind Desert West Auction
- On both sides of Powerhorn Ridge Road (FSR 151)
- On the north side of McKnight Road (FSR 152)
- Wilderness Ranger District Administrative Site on Hwy 35
- Near the Gila National Monument Visitors Center
Smoke may be visible in the areas where the burns are being conducted, linger at night and early morning, but decrease during the daytime. These project areas will be signed and posted for public safety. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Wilderness Ranger District at (575) 536-2250.