MIMBRES, NM; Aug. 5, 2015 - For Immediate Release - Wilderness Ranger District fire managers announce plans to implement various prescribed fires through the fall and winter as conditions permit. The projects include broadcast burning and pile burning.

Broadcast burns are prescribed burning activities where fire is applied generally to most or all of an area within well-defined boundaries. The following broadcast burns are partially funded by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish:
· Gattons Park 1 Rx, 60 acres, located along Hwy 35 by the Old GOS Ranch.

· T-Bird 1 Rx, 128 acres, located off Forest Service Road (FSR) 4085Q (Elks Pasture Road), south of private property on Ponderosa Road and west of Camp Thunderbird.

Piles burns are planned in these locations:
· Off Hwy 35, and Elkhorn Road, behind Desert West Auction

· Lake Roberts off Forest Drive and FSR 4206M

· Near Cooney off FSR 150A & 4080T

· Near the Gila National Monument Visitor Center

Smoke and flames will be noticeable during days of ignitions and may linger at night and early morning. For firefighter and public safety, Gila National Forest officials remind the public to not enter or park near the project areas and to watch for firefighters and equipment in the described locations.

Objectives of these prescribed fires include wildlife habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction and flood debris removal. Prescribed fire is an effective tool managers use to lower the risk of future severe wildfire. When conditions permit, implementation of the projects will depend on availability of personnel and equipment and New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau approval. Fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the €œprescription € or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation, and humidity that need to be met before the project begins.
For more information contact the Wilderness Ranger District 575-535-2250.