San Antonio, NM. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that weather permitting, prescribed burns will begin Saturday, Oct. 17, at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Burning operations are expected to take three to five days.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service, in coordination with refuge staff, plans to burn large salt cedar piles and small brush piles. A smoke column may be visible throughout the Middle Rio Grande Valley and people in the surrounding area may smell smoke. Smoke is anticipated to dissipate within several hours of ignition. Smoke from prescribed fires may affect health. For more information about wood smoke and health, visit https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/.

Areas of the Auto Tour Loop at the refuge may be closed for short periods to protect visitors and firefighters. Visitor signs will be placed informing the public of tour loop closures if they occur.

Prescribed burns are used to reinvigorate the growth of native vegetation, reduce accumulated plant litter, control weeds and improve wildlife habitat. They also help land managers reduce wildfire risk in areas with high fuel loads.

Interagency fire crews will participate in the prescribed burns. Each burn is carefully planned with the safety of the surrounding community, the public and firefighters as the highest priority.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service protects lives and communities; safeguards and restores landscapes; provides unified national wildfire leadership; strengthens partnerships and tribal collaboration; builds resilient communities and ecosystems; and supports a safe, professional wildfire workforce through responsible stewardship, operational excellence, science-based management, technology, all-hazard response, aviation integration, predictive analytics, continuous learning and adaptation to evolving fire conditions.