UPDATE on Prescribed Fire implementation on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands

February 23, 2025 UPDATE

Public Safety Notice

Ignitions have been completed for today on 955 acres of Prescribed Fire on unit K-47N of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands within Union County NM.

Pending favorable conditions tomorrow February 24, fire managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) may continue ignitions on 342 acres of unit K-53. See Map attached.

In these “broadcast burn” projects, fire will be allowed to burn within a predetermined area that has been prepared to receive fire. Smoke may be visible from Clayton, New Mexico and Felt, Oklahoma.

Ignition will depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Desired conditions will result in effective smoke ventilation and dispersal and help achieve the effects needed to accomplish the burn plan objectives.

With fire there is smoke, but firefighters take measures to reduce smoke impacts as much as possible. Fire crews use tactics such as starting early in the day and ending ignitions early in the afternoon to allow for the most ventilation possible throughout the burn and dividing blocks into smaller units to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. However, smoke may be visible periodically from local communities for the duration of the project until the burning vegetation is out. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the www.airnow.gov/