The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, conditions permitting, will begin a prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn to treat approximately 12,000 acres of grassland habitats within the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge on June 19. The burn site is located eight miles east of Interstate 25, two miles south of Highway 60 and approximately 20 miles northeast of Socorro, New Mexico. Fire personnel with engine support will be used to ignite an area that is surrounded by natural and physical barriers preventing fire spread. The fire may last several days and, at times, large amounts of smoke will be visible from the area. Operations will be managed by a contingency of fire management personnel from several federal, state and local agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the New Mexico State Land Department.
The burn will improve the wildlife, plant and habitat resources within the Middle Rio Grande Ecosystem while benefitting native flora and fauna, neotropical migratory birds, and other species of concern. It will also improve the chance of successfully stopping any wildfire that may threaten structures or private property.
"Our primary goal is to manage the refuge naturally so we are using this prescribed fire to replicate the natural fire regime," said Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Manager Terry Tadano. "We have been extinguishing refuge wildfires for the past 30 years and that has had a negative impact on the native wildlife and plants. We are confident that this prescribed fire will assist in naturally restoring the plant community for the benefit of all wildlife."
Public access to the burn unit area is not permitted. However, individuals seeking more information are welcome to stop at the Refuge visitor
