Prescribed Fire to Begin at Bosque del Apache and Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuges 3/16/21

Beginning the week of March 16, fire managers will implement several prescribed fire projects at both Bosque Del Apache and Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuges. Approximately 110 acres of wetland habitat will be burned at Bosque Del Apache. Fire will remove heavy concentrations of dead and down fuels within the unit recycling nutrients, creating a reinvigorated and healthy wet meadow plant community.  A large machine pile of salt cedar along the Rio Grande and 30 acres of small brush piles will be burned at Sevilleta.

It is expected that it will take 3-5 days to complete the projects. The burns will produce a large column of visible smoke throughout the Middle Rio Grande Valley and surrounding areas.  The smoke is anticipated to dissipate within several hours of ignition. The burns will be conducted under a strict set of guidelines and weather parameters to provide for public and firefighter safety.  If unsafe weather conditions exist, the burn will be rescheduled. 

Several areas of the tour loop at Bosque Del Apache may need to be closed for short periods of time to protect visitors and firefighters.  Signs will be placed informing the public of tour loop closures. 

Prior to and during all prescribed fires, fire managers coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department and follow all air quality regulations. People who are either susceptible to or affected by COVID-19 may have health conditions that also make them vulnerable to smoke exposure. For more information about smoke and protecting your health, please visit https://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/.

For more information, contact Ken Roberts, NM Fire Zone Fire Management Specialist, at 575-625-4013.