Project to maintain fuels reduction around infrastructure expected in late October
RESERVE, NM, Oct. 17, 2024 – The Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District is preparing to use prescribed fire to treat approximately 220 acres around Negrito Fire Base to protect site infrastructure from wildfire while helping to improve forest health. The prescribed fire project is expected to occur in late October or early November, as staffing, fuels, and weather conditions allow.
"This forest is adapted to frequent, low-intensity fire, which helps limit ingrowth of trees and other ladder fuels that can feed high-intensity crown fires," said Acting Reserve District Ranger Bret Ruff. "By re-treating this area with fire, we are maintaining an uneven-aged, open grown forest, while removing surface fuels, such as stumps, logs, branches, grass, and brush that have accumulated over the past dozen years since prescribed fire was last introduced to this project area."
Some measure of wind helps carry fire through the burn unit, meeting project objectives by promoting more complete consumption of targeted fuels. The Negrito Fire Base prescribed burn is expected to last about one week, with approximately two days of ignitions. Smoke may be visible from Willow Creek, Snow Lake, and Forest Road 141 and will be heaviest during ignitions operations. Smoke output from more densely forested areas in the interior of the burn unit should be expected for about a week, as fire consumes logs, stumps, and other heavier fuels. Information about smoke impacts and recommendations for avoiding health impacts is available at NM Fire Info | Smoke Management. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
