Prescribed Fire Planned for McKinley and Sandoval Counties

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Rio Puerco Field Office

Media Contact:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rio Puerco Field Office plans to conduct an approximately 300 acre prescribed fire within the Ignacio Chavez and Chamisa Wilderness Study Areas from March 23 through April 7, weather permitting.  The area, known as Mesa Chivato, is west of Highway 550 and approximately 15 miles southwest of San Luis, New Mexico.  During the burn, signs alerting the public to the prescribed fire will be posted along BLM Road 1103.  Smoke may be visible from Highway 550.

Vegetation in the area consists primarily of ponderosa pine, piñon, and juniper trees.  The goal of this project is to reduce tree density and thereby reduce the potential of catastrophic wildfire.  

For additional information about this planned burn, please contact Fire Management Officer Todd Richards at 505-761-8769 or Fuels Specialist Zach Saavedra at 505-761-8963.


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.