Prescribed Burns Planned in Socorro County

Beginning Feb. 11 and continuing until March 15, the Bureau of Land Management Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with the New Mexico State Land Office and private landowners, plan to burn approximately 2,500 acres of grass and brush located east of Socorro, NM, weather permitting.  There are five burn units, located 10-20 miles north of US Highway 380 and 12-24 miles east of Socorro, planned during this timeframe

Active ignition will take one to two days for each burn unit, with some smoke visible in the burn areas for up to a week after ignition operations are completed. Fire personnel will monitor the burn until there is no visible smoke. During the day, the smoke from the burn is not expected to impact any major travel routes but may be visible from Highways 60 and 380.  Smoke may also be visible from Socorro, White Sands Missile Range, and Bingham.

The objectives for the burn are to rejuvenate decadent grass, reduce wildfire risk, reduce tree encroachment into sacaton draws, improve ecosystem health, and enhance wildlife habitat. Questions about the project may be directed to the Socorro Field Office at (575) 835-0412.