Silver City, NM — Jan. 21, 2022 — The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District is planning three vegetation treatments this winter and spring to reduce hazardous fuels, protect private infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, and improve wildlife habitat. Smoke production should be light, and kept to the local area, although smoke may be visible from some distance. The dates of implementation are subject to change based on weather and fuel conditions 

The three projects include the following areas in the order listed: 

Georgetown – consists of 300 acres divided into three 100-acre units located west of Georgetown Road and north of SR 153. This area has been previously treated by fire crews to remove excess trees and thin the canopy to improve the area for wildlife habitat. This project is expected to be performed in the early spring and may be burned simultaneously or in individual units as conditions dictate. 

Willow – this unit is approximately 3000 acres and is in the Burro Mountains east of County Road 4-24 (Redrock Road) and adjacent to the Sawmill Prescribed Fire that was completed in the spring of 2021, this unit is expected to be completed late April-June 2022. 

Jaybird – this unit is located on the east side of SR15, north of signal peak, and is the second and final phase of the prescribed fire. The first phase was a “blacklining” operation which secured the perimeter in the fall of 2021.

Resource managers use prescribed fires to replace naturally occurring fires that have been suppressed through years of human interaction. These fires simulate natural fires by reducing forest fuels, restoring nutrients, and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. 

Many factors are considered before fire managers decide to implement a prescribed fire. The forecasted weather, fuel moisture and other conditions are closely watched to determine if a prescribed fire is the correct tool to achieve the desired result. Prescribed fires are designed to meet specific objectives, including, providing community protection and forest health although other positive side effects such as benefit to wildlife or increased water availability are possible. 

Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory or heart disease should take precautionary measures.  Air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website:  https://nmtracking.org/fire.  

For more information regarding these projects contact Silver City Ranger District Fire Management Officer Marcus Cornwell at marcus.cornwell@usda.gov or 575-388-8248. For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila.