Lincoln National Forest Sacramento Ranger District to Burn Piles Feb. 19-20

Fire officials on the Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger will burn slash piles near Alamo Peak today and tomorrow, weather permitting. Fire managers will monitor conditions closely to ensure they fall within the ranges identified in the burn plan.

Crews hope to consume 12 hand piles of mixed conifer located along Alamo Peak Road between Sunspot Highway and Alamo Peak Observatory.

The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels following thinning activities at this site and to increase health, vigor, and competitive ability of the native plant community.

Smoke from this burn may be visible from Alamogordo, High Rolls, Mountain Park, Cloudcroft, and surrounding areas. In the event that smoke is encountered on travel ways, motorists are advised to reduce travel speeds and turn lights on. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico DOH website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.