Gila National Forest prepares for prescribed burning near Ft. Bayard

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

(Silver City, NM, March 9, 2026) — The Gila National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations in the Silver City Ranger District this week, pending favorable conditions and required approvals. This operation will proceed only as weather conditions allow. Prescribed fire is a critical tool used to reduce overgrown vegetation, helping protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from extreme, high-severity wildfires.

Planned prescribed burn treatments:

• Approximately five acres of hazardous fuels adjacent to the Ft. Bayard Administrative Site (closed to the public) near the Big Tree Trailhead, 4.5 miles north of US 180. Map attached.

The Big Tree Trailhead and other publicly accessible areas will remain open, but please watch for personnel and warning signs posted along roads and trails near all prescribed fire areas before and during operations. In the days following ignitions, personnel will continue mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots and secure the fire perimeter, preventing rekindling.

Smoke and Safety Precautions
Smoke may be visible from US 180 and nearby trails. For detailed information about air quality, visit fire.airnow.gov.

When driving through smoky areas:

• Slow down!
• Turn on headlights
• Use hazards in areas of heavy smoke to improve visibility for other drivers.

Prior to and during implementation, we evaluate weather conditions to ensure safe and effective operations. Ignitions will only occur if conditions are favorable. If not, scheduled prescribed fire activities will be postponed or canceled.

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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