Prescribe Burn Scheduled on the Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District

Pile Burning in La Laz and Maruche Canyons

ALAMOGORDO, NM – Jan. 19, 2022 —Fire managers on the Lincoln National Forest are planning to prescribe burn piles of slash in La Laz and Maruche Canyons, 2—3 miles north of High Rolls, beginning this week in advance of warmer, drier weather come summer. Approximately 146 acres of piles are planned for burning in the area.

Prescribed fire, including pile burning, reduces the risk of severe wildfire and allow less intense fire to play its natural role in a frequent-fire ecosystem like the Lincoln National Forest. Fuel treatments, such as prescribed burns, are an effective way to slow wildfires and moderate fire behavior.

The decision to implement a specific prescribed burn depends on multiple conditions, including the firefighter availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, smoke dispersal, and weather. Fire managers consider smoke impacts to communities before making a final decision to implement a prescribed fire.

Smoke will likely be visible from High Rolls, Mountain Park, Fresnal Canyon and Highway 82. Smoke will likely drift to the northeast.

Fire updates will be posted here, on the Lincoln National Forest website and on the Lincoln National Forest Facebook and Twitter pages.