Weather and fuels conditions support achieving prescribed fire resource objectives

RESERVE, NM, May 28, 2023 – The Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District is preparing to implement two prescribed fires beginning Tuesday, May 30, given appropriate fuels and weather conditions. The two prescribed fire units are the 1,931-acre Cold Springs unit, located along Forest Road 94 southeast of Apache Creek, and the 1,592-acre Sheep Basin unit, located south of the Village of Reserve (acres corrected for both units).

Live fuels are holding high moisture content making them resistant to burning, while dead and down logs and other surface fuels are dry enough to be consumed. These conditions are ideal for achieving fuels reduction for community protection and forest restoration objectives identified in the Cold Springs and Sheep Basin project areas. Thirty miles to the southeast, other fire crews are using a confine and contain strategy in response to the lightning-caused Pass wildfire, allowing fire to play its natural role in fire-dependent forest. Though prescribed fire and wildfire are distinctly different, both can be tools for achieving similar resource objectives.

“There is a critical need to increase the pace and scale of treating forests that have been impacted by the loss of frequent fire, in order to change the trajectory of increasingly destructive wildfires,” said Reserve District Ranger Amanda Gehrt. “Fire is the most effective and efficient tool for removing hazardous fuels and restoring a more natural forest structure to these fire-dependent Southwestern Forest ecosystems.”

Low-lying smoke and heavy presence of firefighters on forest roads may periodically impact the public’s access to areas adjacent to the prescribed fire. If this occurs, road guards and/or signs will be in place to warn of hazards. Smoke may linger at night and early morning and will be visible from Reserve, Aragon, Apache Creek, and Cruzville. The Forest Service is coordinating with New Mexico Environment Department and will follow smoke management guidelines. Air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at NM Fire Info | Smoke Management. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.