Legal Notices-Government

Prescribed Fire Planned on State Trust Land South of Pie Town, NM

The New Mexico State Land Office is tentatively preparing for a prescribed burn scheduled for November 10-17, 2022 on 400 acres of state trust land near the Magnas Divide approximately 16 miles southwest of Pie Town, N.M. in Catron County.
The intent of the burn is to reduce forest fuels, and build upon previously completed thinning projects. The prescribed burn will promote diversity in the ecosystem by restoring ponderosa pine forest and piñon/juniper woodlands. This phase of the project will also reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and associated post-wildfire erosion. Additionally, the prescribed burn will revitalize the grasses and shrubs while reducing the regeneration of competing juniper species. The project is being implemented in the Fall because fire risk is lower than at other times of the year. The Nature Conservancy, the Ember Alliance, and the Forest Stewards Guild are also collaborators on the project.
In light of the devastating wildfires across New Mexico this spring and summer, the State Land Office is taking the following steps to ensure that prescribed fire is implemented safely: 1) weather parameters and fuels conditions will be closely evaluated to ensure they match what is expected and required in the burn plan 2) the burn boss will take a low tolerance to risk approach 3) ignitions will be approved on a daily basis and 4) resources and personnel will be available longer after the fire is complete to ensure there is no threat of additional ignitions.
The Surface Division of the State Land Office is assessing conditions of the land before proceeding. If the prescribed burn is executed, smoke may be visible from the communities of Pie Town, Quemado, and Datil. Smoke may settle in the adjacent communities during the night but should disperse by mid-morning. Motorists are advised to use caution when driving along smoke impacted highways.
For people with respiratory ailments, sensitivities to smoke, or otherwise concerned about air quality impacts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/
environment/air/FireAnd
Smoke.html

Contact: Mark Meyers, Forester (505.946.7082)
[email protected]
Joey Keefe, Assistant Commissioner of Communications (505.470.2965) [email protected]