BLM plans prescribed burn activities in Eddy County
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CARLSBAD, N.M. — Beginning in early February, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in Eddy County. Specifically, the BLM plans the operations in the Tecolote area between U.S. Highway 62/180 and U.S. Highway 285 near the Texas state line. The operations, which will continue through April, are weather dependent and will take several days to complete.
Smoke from the burn may be visible from Carlsbad, Whites City, Loving, Malaga and nearby communities. Although smoke should not impact highways, personnel will post signs along roadways to inform motorists about the potential for smoke. The agency reminds motorists to use caution by reducing speed and watching for fire personnel and equipment.
These operations will decrease the risk of damage from wildfires and loss to adjacent property. Other goals are to improve watershed and habitat conditions, increase the health, vigor, and competitive ability of the native plant community and reduce the threat of non-native and native invasive plant species.
“By reducing the amount of vegetation, prescribed burns mimic the natural fire cycle, and that reduces the dangers and risks associated with wildfires,” said BLM Fire Management Specialist Alex Mermigkas.
The BLM encourages public land users to continue to be careful with fire. To report a wildfire on public land, call Alamogordo Interagency Dispatch at 877-695-1663. For more information on this prescribed burn and the BLM fire and hazardous fuels reduction program, contact Alex Mermigkas at 575-234-5718. Follow the implementation of this project on NMFireInfo.com or facebook.com/nmfireinfo.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.