(Socorro, NM) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is planning to conduct 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 approximately 70 acres of cattail and bulrush on Wednesday, January 26 (conditions permitting). The prescribed burn is part of the refuge's continuing efforts to improve wildlife habitat. Burning cattails and bulrush will temporarily expose more shallow open water and mudflats for dabbling ducks, geese, shorebirds, marsh birds and wading birds. It will also rejuvenate grasses and forbs by removing decadent vegetation and recycling nutrients. Weather and time permitting, fire crews will also burn several piles of dead saltcedar on the west side of Highway 1 during the week.

The Farm Loop road will be closed during the time of the active burn. It will re-open when fire staff determines it is safe to do so. The refuge Visitor Center and the Marsh Tour Loop, including the Boardwalk, are scheduled to remain open during the burn.

Fire staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Division of Forestry, and other agencies will participate in the prescribed burn.

Please feel free to contact Bosque del Apache NWR at (505) 835-1828 if you have any questions.

2"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

"-http://southwest.fws.gov-