Truth or Consequences, NM - The Black Range Ranger District on the Gila National Forest is planning to conduct the Area 74 Prescribed Fire beginning May 28. Ignitions and holding operations will continue for several days to complete the project. Weather and wind conditions will dictate operational timeframes. The overall project is approximately 10,000 acres in size. The boundaries of the majority of the prescribed burn are Forest Road 521 on the east, Forest Roads 4070G, 4070J, 4070K, and 4074E on the north, Forest Road 677 on the west, and State Highway 59 on the south. An additional block will receive prescribed fire south of Highway 59; boundaries are Forest Road 226 on the west and the Continental Divide Trail on the east side.

The purpose of the Area 74 Prescribed Fire is to reduce hazardous fuels to help prevent future stand replacing fire, protect sensitive resources, allow fire to play a more natural role in the fire-adapted ecosystem, protect and improve soil and watershed resources from high intensity fire events, and improve wildlife habitat.

When conditions allow, project implementation will be dependent on availability of qualified personnel and equipment, and New Mexico Environmental Department Air Quality Bureau approval. Fire managers will adhere to a burn plan that outlines the “prescription”, or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation, and humidity that need to be met before ignition.

When travelling adjacent to the project area, motorists are asked to use caution. Smoke may be visible as fire personnel work on or near the prescribed fire boundaries. More information can be obtained by calling the Black Range Ranger District at (575) 894-6677.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GilaNForest/ or follow us on Twitter @GilaNForest.