RESERVE, N.M.; Feb. 10, 2015 - While pile burning projects continue on the Reserve Ranger District when precipitation and conditions are favorable, fire crews also plan to conduct broadcast burning beginning Feb. 11, 2015 and continuing throughout the spring. The project areas are Sheep Basin, approximately ten miles southeast of Reserve, Forest Road (FR) 141, and Eckleberger, approximately 20 miles southwest of Reserve, FR 141 and one mile east of Rainy Mesa Ranch.

Smoke from broadcast and pile burning in these areas located on the Reserve Ranger District of the Gila National Forest may be visible through the next several months. Objectives of the burn are to reduce wildfire threat by removing fuels. All areas where prescribed fires are planned will be signed and posted for public awareness.

List of pile burn projects:

• • Rancho Grande Subdivision piles; approximately seven miles southwest of Reserve along US Highway 180;
  • Sheep Basin/Blackdeer Sixshooter timber sale piles along FR 141 and FRs 179 and 626
  • Reserve Administrative Site piles; one mile west of Reserve at the Reserve Ranger District Administrative Site;
  • Negrito Fire Base piles; approximately 20 miles southeast of Reserve along FR 141 and FR 28;
  • SU slash pit; approximately four miles southwest of Reserve West of State Highway 12 along FR 578;
  • Five Bar Subdivision piles; five miles southwest of Reserve East of State Highway 12 along CAT-B056;
  • Cruzville Interpretive Site piles; CAT-B092 half mile east of State Highway 12 across from Cruzville solid waste convenience center;
  • Highway Department Piles; along north side of State Highway 12 and US Highway 180 behind Highway Dept. and across from Reserve Airstrip;
  • Willow Creek Mesa/Gilita Slash Pit piles; FR 28 & FR 153, one mile West of Willow Creek.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Shilow Norton, District Fire Management Officer or Pete Delgado, District Fuels Specialist at (575) 533-6231.