Between February 13 and March 31, 2017, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Socorro Field Office, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), will conduct a pile burn on BOR-administered lands along the Rio Grande south of Bosque del Apache. The objectives of the burn are to remove limbs and branches created as part of thinning projects that were done to reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem health, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Smoke may be visible from Socorro, San Antonio, and Truth or Consequences, as well as Interstate 25. Active ignition will take place when ground and weather conditions allow for reduced risk of the fire spreading, with some smoke visible in the burn areas for up to two weeks after ignition operations are completed. Firefighters will monitor the burn until there is no visible smoke. During the day, the smoke from the burn is not expected to impact any major travel routes but may be visible from I-25 and NM Highway 1.
Questions about the burn should be directed to the BLM’s Socorro Field Office at 575-835-0412.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
