The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with the Gila National Forest, plans to conduct a prescribed fire in east-central Catron County between April 16 and June 26, weather permitting. The goal is to burn between 4,000 – 7,000 acres of land administered by the BLM and the US Forest Service.

The burn will take place within the 33,508-acre Pelona Mountain Unit and the 24,367-acre Garcia Windmill Unit, and is part of the Pelona Mountain Landscape Project. Project objectives are to reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve grasslands, watershed, and ecosystem health.

Active ignition will take 2-4 days, with some smoke visible in the burn area for up to 2 weeks after ignition operations are completed. Firefighters will monitor the burn until there is no visible smoke. The southern portion of the planned burn area is adjacent to NM Highway 163 in Railroad Canyon. Smoke from the burn may impact Highway 163 and could create brief periods of reduced visibility for motorists. In addition, firefighters will be working adjacent to Highway 163, so motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the area during the burn.

For information about this, and other prescribed burn operations, as well as wildland fire updates please visit www.nmfireinfo.com. Questions about the Pelona Mountain prescribed burn should be directed to the BLM's Socorro Field Office at (575) 835-0412.