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BLM initiates slash pit burn in Cibola County

New Mexico
Albuquerque DO
Socorro FO
Media Contact

Socorro, NM – Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with private landowners, is scheduled to burn wood slash now through April 19; however, operations are weather dependent.

The Wild Horse Slash Pit is located off the Wood Camp Road in the Wild Horse community. This is a coordinated effort with the local community and BLM fire managers to provide a location for landowners to remove overgrown vegetation from their property. Fire officials will monitor, and when conditions allow, will burn the slash. This coordinated service allows landowners to create a defensible space within the community of Wild Horse in the event of unwanted wildfire situation.

“Maintaining good coordination and cooperation with our rural communities ensures an effective partnership,” said BLM Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist Lino Baca. “Remember, this site is for vegetative material and not household trash and abiding by the rules will allow the BLM to continue to provide this asset.”

These burns allow the BLM to partner with the community to provide an area to dispose of woody debris from private properties; remove hazardous fuels that may increase catastrophic wildfire risk to the community and surrounding public lands; increase firefighter and public safety; and enhance wildlife habitat.

Important Things to Know:

  • Smoke may be visible in the project area for 2-4 days after completion of the burn.
  • Prior to and during 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 www.airnow.gov
  • Prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority.
  • For details, go to Prescribed Fires in Socorro County.

For questions about the prescribed burn, contact BLM’s Socorro Field Office at (575) 835-0412, or follow implementation of this project at 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.