The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin the second phase of 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 on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, east of Interstate 25 on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in Socorro County, conditions permitting.
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Indent2; The Palo Duro Canyon burn unit encompasses 14,739 acres and is located at the southwest end of the Los Pinos Mountains, 12 miles east of the Refuge headquarters and 10 miles south of Highway 60. The first ignition phase of approximately 1,000 acres was conducted during April along the south and east perimeter of the unit and will secure the area for the larger burn unit scheduled for this week.
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Indent2; The vegetation is comprised mostly of Chihuahuan desert shrublands and sacaton, a type of bunch grass.
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Indent2; Bureau of Land Management fire personnel will assist Service crews in the operation. Staff from the Fire Module at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and New Mexico Refuges will also be assisting.
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Indent2; Aerial ignition and hand held drip torches, will introduce fire into this area to remove decadent vegetation and facilitate the recycle of nutrients into the soil. Fire will also serve as a control to check the encroachment of woody species onto the grasslands. This will be a short duration fire of moderate to high fire intensity, producing smoke that will be visible at times from the Rio Grande Valley and Interstate 25.
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Indent2; Patrols and monitoring of the burned areas parameter will be conducted through completion of the operation to ensure that no hot spots exist.
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Indent2; Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is predominantly closed to the public and access to the burn unit is not permitted. However, individuals seeking information about this event and the Refuge are encouraged to visit the Visitor's Center between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 505-864-4021. Take exit 169 from Interstate 25 and follow the gravel road to the center.
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2 right 6 NOTE: For current fire information on all lands in Arizona and New Mexico visit
