Forest Stewards Guild and NM State Land Office: Prescribed burn near Black Lake canceled for the fall

Santa Fe, NM – This week, leadership from the collaborative burn team comprised of the Forest Stewards Guild, New Mexico State Land Office, The Nature Conservancy, and local fire departments decided to cancel the Black Lake prescribed broadcast burn for the fall of 2023. After careful evaluation of weather patterns, the team determined conditions did not meet the required criteria outlined in the burn plan. The Black Lake prescribed burn unit is located near the intersection of Highway 120 and Highway 424 and several miles south of the Village of Angel Fire.

Through the planning process, a robust team of fire practitioners and resources was built to support the burn. The team will consider a date in 2024 when conditions are more favorable for implementation of the prescribed burn. Community engagement at the in-person and virtual public meetings were highly valued by the team and that engagement will continue as plans for 2024 develop.

Contact: Eytan Krasilovsky, 505-470-0185, eytan@forestguild.org