BLM plans prescribed burns across three southern New Mexico counties

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District is preparing to implement three prescribed burns across Otero, Sierra and Doña Ana counties in the coming weeks.  These strategically implemented prescribed burns will reduce hazardous fuels across 7,000 acres of grass and brush. The objectives for the burn are to rejuvenate decadent grass, reduce wildfire risk, reduce tree encroachment, improved ecosystem health and enhance wildlife habitat. 

Details of each prescribed burn location are as follows:

• Otero County: located approximately 20 miles northeast of Oro Grande, N.M. in the Centennial Bombing Range on the McGreggor Range, up to 5,400 acres of grassland will be targeted on March 9 and 10, 2026, for hand ignition. Smoke from the burn will be visible from Highway 54 but is not expected to impact the highways. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution when driving through the areas as lingering smoke may remain for a couple of days, depending on weather conditions. 
• Sierra County: located approximately 18 miles west of Carrizozo, N.M. in the Red Rio Bombing Range on White Sands Missile Range, up to 1,500 acres of grassland will be targeted on March 11, 2026, for hand ignition. Smoke from the burn may be visible from Highway 380 and Highway 54 but is not expected to impact the highways. 
• Doña Ana County: located within the Dripping Springs Natural Area of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, up to 50 acres of grassland will be targeted on March 12, 2026, for hand ignition. Smoke will be highly visible to the City of Las Cruces and the surrounding communities. The Dripping Springs Trail, which begins at the Visitor Center and leads to the historic Van Patten Mountain Camp, and a portion of Crawford Trail, which meets Dripping Springs Trail, will be closed to the public on the day of the burn. All other trails in the Natural Area will be open for hiking. Check with the hosts at the Visitor Center for questions on where you can hike.

In total, 20-30 BLM firefighters and personnel from Fort Bliss Army Base and Holloman Air Force Base will monitor the fires. Most of the fuels will be consumed during the initial burn period because of the rapid burn. BLM fire engines will remain on the sites until the burns are completely extinguished. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution when driving through these areas as lingering smoke may remain for a couple of days, depending on weather conditions.

These prescribed burns are a part of several hazardous fuels reduction projects being conducted in the area to decrease the likelihood of negative wildfire impacts to wildlife habitat, recreation areas and nearby private property.

Prescribed burning involves the deliberate application of fire under carefully pre-planned conditions to specific areas of land. This strategic reduction of vegetative fuel loads significantly lowers the potential for uncontrolled, high-intensity wildfires. When left unchecked, the accumulation of dead vegetation, fallen branches and dense undergrowth creates conditions that fuel catastrophic wildfires. By strategically reducing this buildup, prescribed burns create “firebreaks” or disrupt the spread of wildfire, enhancing the ability of firefighters to protect residential and commercial properties, as well as vital infrastructure. The growing frequency of extreme weather events, coupled with prolonged periods of drought, has intensified the vulnerability of New Mexico’s forests and grasslands. Land management agencies, recognizing these evolving risks, are increasingly integrating prescribed fire into their long-term planning efforts, protecting not just individual communities but the wider landscape.

During the operations, 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 online at NMFireInfo.com.

For additional information about this prescribed burn, please contact BLM Las Cruces District Fuels Specialist Jon Selby at 575-525-4325. Follow implementation at NMFireInfo.com or at https://www.facebook.com/nmfireinfo.