BLM Plans Prescribed Burn in Socorro County

SOCORRO, N.M. – Now through March 31, the Bureau of Land Management’s Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with private landowners, will burn draws of sacaton grass and brush east of Socorro, NM and pile burns west of Socorro. The operations are weather dependent. Up to 1,500 acres will be burned in several burn units. Each prescribed burn project is estimated to be completed within a 7-day timeframe. Below are details on each project:

• Francisco Well Unit: 3-12 miles north of US Highway 380 and approximately 16 miles east-southeast of Socorro, NM
• Walker Unit: East end of Socorro County and south of Hwy 380
• Radonda 1 & 2: Northern side of the project area begins approximately 20 miles southeast of Bernardo.
• Alamocita Pile Burn: located east of Pie Town and approximately 10 miles north of Highway 60.
• Tank Canyon Pile Burn: located approximately 25 miles north of Pie Town and about two miles east of the York Ranch Road in the vicinity of the Wild Horse subdivision.
• Wild Horse Slash Pit: located off the Wood Camp Road at Wild Horse.

The objectives for the burn are to rejuvenate decadent grass, reduce wildfire risk, reduce tree encroachment into sacaton draws, improve ecosystem health, and enhance wildlife habitat.

“Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools to maintain a healthy ecosystem,” said BLM Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist Lino Baca. “By reducing the volume of vegetation under prescribed conditions, land managers mimic the natural fire cycle, which greatly reduces the dangers and risks associated with wildfires.”

Smoke may be visible in the project area, from Highway 380 and Highway 60, Socorro, White Sands Missile Range, Mountainair, Pie Town, Datil, Wild Horse Subdivision and Bingham for 2-4 days after completion or each individual burn. Prior to and during all prescribed fires, fire managers coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department and follow all air quality regulations. For more information about smoke and protecting your health, please visit https://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/.

Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve public land health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter and public safety, enhance wildlife habitat and protect communities and watersheds.

Questions about the burn should be directed to the BLM’s Socorro Field Office at (575) 835-0412. You can also follow implementation of this project on NMFireInfo.com or on Facebook.com/nmfireinfo.