The U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed burns across central New Mexico this fall in areas near Mountainair through December.
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands announced plans for multiple controlled burns designed to reduce hazardous vegetation and protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.
In the Mountainair Ranger District, crews are already burning piles covering up to 722 acres in the Gallinas Mountains southeast of Willard. Additional broadcast burns are scheduled for October through December, including 2,012 acres in the Manzano Mountains northwest of Mountainair and 972 acres in the Thunderbird-Barranco area.
The Sandia Ranger District will conduct three smaller burns in the Manzanita and Sandia mountains, totaling 318 acres of broadcast and pile burning near Highway 337 and Interstate 40.
Smoke from the operations may be visible across the Estancia Valley and in Albuquerque, Tijeras, Edgewood and Moriarty, according to forest officials.
“Prescribed fire helps reduce overgrown vegetation to protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from catastrophic wildfires,” the announcement stated.
The burns are weather-dependent and require favorable conditions to proceed safely. Areas may be closed to the public during operations, and officials warn drivers to slow down and use headlights when encountering smoke.
Forest Service officials recommend residents monitor air quality at fire.airnow.gov during burn operations.
The prescribed burns are part of broader forest management efforts across New Mexico, with additional operations planned in the Mount Taylor and Magdalena ranger districts covering thousands of additional acres.
