CARLSBAD, N.M. - Beginning Wednesday, March 7, the Bureau of Land Management Carlsbad Field Office will begin prescribed burns at five locations through the month, weather permitting. Signs to alert the public of the burn operations will be posted. Public entry into the project area is discouraged. The locations are:
* Twins North, 4,900 acres. Located 12 miles northwest of Carlsbad, just north of Hwy 137 (Queen Hwy) and west of Hwy 285 (Artesia Hwy).
* North Hay Hollow, 2,500 acres. Located 30 miles southwest of Carlsbad. South of Dillahunty Rd. and East of Hwy 62/180 (El Paso Hwy).
* Middle, 950 acres. Located 25 miles southwest of Carlsbad, west of Washington Ranch Rd.
* Chinaberry, 2,000 acres. Located 13 miles southwest of Carlsbad, east of Hwy 62/180 (El Paso Hwy) and both sides of Means Rd.
* Crossing, 40-50 acres. Located 12 miles south of Carlsbad, south of Black River Village Rd and west of John D. Forehand Rd.
These prescribed burn projects are part of a restoration effort to improve rangeland health and reduce accumulations of vegetation posing a fire hazard throughout the region.
The prescribed fire requirements include having the appropriate weather conditions and the required personnel and equipment on site. Measures will be taken to reduce the amount of smoke created by the prescribed fire, and operations will be suspended early enough in the day to allow much of the smoke to dissipate before nightfall. Smoke may be visible from Carlsbad, U.S. Highway 62/180, U.S. Highway 285, Artesia, Seven Rivers, Queen, White City, Black River Village, Washington Ranch and surrounding areas.
For information on the BLM prescribed fire program, call Pecos District Fire Management Specialist, Matias Telles at 575-644-4431.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
