TAOS, N.M.— Fire managers on the Jicarilla District of the Carson National Forest hope to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecasted weather to conduct prescribed burns sometime between March 25 and April 30, 2018.

Carracas Rim/Eul Prescribed Burn:  233 acres will be burned on Carracas Mesa near Eul Canyon within a mile of the Colorado/New Mexico border. This project is intended to enhance wildlife habitat by restoring fire into a fire adapted ecosystem.

• Smoke may be visible from Arboles, Colorado and surrounding areas including the San Juan National Forest, Southern Ute Indian Tribal lands, Jicarilla Apache Tribal lands, BLM lands in New Mexico, and other areas in the Jicarilla Ranger District. Arboles could also be impacted by smoke.

Districtwide Pile Burns:  Slash piles within 1-acre units will be burned in five different areas on the district – Carracas Mesa, Cabresto Mesa, La Jara Canyon, Cereza Mesa, and Compañero Canyon. The slash piles were a result of cutting 1-acre openings during the installation of trick tanks which provide water for wildlife in areas of the district lacking water.

• Smoke may be visible in the areas near these burn projects. Smoke duration should last no longer than a day each.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information about these prescribed fires, contact the Jicarilla Ranger District at 505-632-2956.