Gila National Forest to begin prescribed fire operations

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

QUEMADO, N.M., Dec. 1 — The Quemado Ranger District on the Gila National Forest is planning to start prescribed fire operations later this week, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the winter as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

Baca slash pit, approximately two miles northeast of Quemado Lake. Ignitions are expected to start December 4. The pit will be closed for public slash disposal and monitored over the following weeks, reopening to the public when deemed safe.

Luna thinning piles adjacent to the Luna Work Center and to private property south of Luna. Ignitions are expected to start the week of December 15 and will continue throughout the winter as weather and environmental conditions allow.

Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For the Baca slash pit burn, smoke will likely be visible from areas around Quemado Lake, Quemado, and along U.S. 60 and N.M. 32. For the Luna thinning pile burns, smoke will likely be visible for local Luna residents and along U.S. 180 around Luna. Smoke may linger in valleys at night and during early morning hours. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

To stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires, please visit our website or social media channels.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.