RESERVE, N.M.; March 26, 2015 - Reserve Ranger District fire managers plan to broadcast burn in the Sheep Basin Project area beginning April 2015 and continuing throughout the spring as conditions allow. The Sheep Basin project is approximately 3,000 acres ten miles southeast of Reserve, NM off Forest Road 141. District personnel have also conducted burns within the Eckleberger Project, 20 miles southwest of Reserve, NM and Forest Road 141, one mile east of Rainy Mesa Ranch. Pile burning is also on-going when conditions are favorable.

See list below for details and updates on prescribed burning on the Reserve Ranger District. Smoke from broadcast and pile burning in these areas may be visible through the next several months. Objectives of the burns are to reduce wildfire threat by removing fuels. All areas where prescribed fires are planned will be signed and posted for public awareness.

Updates on status of Pile Burns:

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 Forest Roads 179 and 626 (Approximately 20 % completed)

Reserve Administrative Site piles; one mile west of Reserve at the Reserve Ranger District Administrative Site; (Completed)

Negrito Fire Base piles; approximately 20 miles southeast of Reserve along FR 141 and FR 28; (Completed)

SU slash pit; approximately four miles southwest of Reserve West of State Highway 12 along FR 578; (Ongoing every two months)

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; (Completed)

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 District Fire Management Officer (FMO) Shilow Norton or District Fuels Specialist Pete Delgado at (575) 533-6231.