Alamogordo NM
White Sands National Monument plans to conduct a test burn with two small, ephemeral campfires on an active gypsum sand dune near the administrative complex within the monument on 2/21/13. The test burn is part of a research study to analyze the transformation of gypsum to anhydrite when sediments are heated. The fires will be 1 x 1 meter in size and the fuel source will be cotton wood.
The monument plans to start the fires around 7:00 am on 2/21/13 which will last for approximately 7 hours until 2:00 PM. National Park Service wildland fire fighters will be on site. The fire will be approximately 300 feet from the nearest vegetation. If winds exceed 15 miles per hour or embers begin to move, the fire will be extinguished immediately. Because the campfires will be 1 x 1 meter in size, smoke from the fires will be very minimal. Inquiries should be directed to the Monument at 575-479-6124 ex. 210.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
