Silver City Ranger District preparing for Jaybird and Mill prescribed fires

SILVER CITY, NM, October 3, 2023 – The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District is preparing to implement the Jaybird, and possibly Mill prescribed fire projects as soon as October 14 or the week that follows. The exact date of ignition will depend on weather and fuels conditions and firefighter resource availability.

“Prescribed fire is an important tool for reducing hazardous fuels that threaten communities. Promoting low to moderate intensity fire on these lands today will help reduce future fire impacts,” said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. “These activities are coordinated with the State of New Mexico and comply with air quality standards set by the state’s Air Quality Bureau.”

The 2,600-acre Jaybird prescribed fire project is in the Signal Peak area, near Meadow Creek and Jaybird Canyon along the east side of New Mexico Highway 15 from Meadow Creek Road to milepost 19. The project aims to lower future fire intensity, protect wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuel loads in the area. Temporary road and area closures can be expected on Forest Road 149 (Meadow Creek Road) and NM Highway 15.

The 1,500-acre Mill prescribed fire project is located west of NM Highway 15, in the Sheep Corral area, from the north side of Forest Road 282 (Sheep Corral Road) north to Forest Road 876 and west to Forest Road 3131F. Temporary closures may be expected on NM Highway 15 and the Sheep Corral area. This unit was prescribed burned previously in 2010.

Smoke may be visible from the communities of Pinos Altos, Silver City, Lake Roberts, Mimbres, and San Lorenzo, and smoke impacts to New Mexico Highway 15 and 35, the Mimbres and Sapillo drainages, and the community off Mimbres are expected. Smoke will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau’s regulations are met. Individuals who are smoke-sensitive and those with respiratory or heart disease should take precautionary measures. Air quality information and health protection measures recommended by New Mexico Department of Health are posted on line by the at NM Fire Info | Smoke Management. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .