Lincoln National Forest Plans Prescribed Burn Near White Oaks

Ruidoso, NM – March 30, 2021 – The Lincoln National Forest is planning a prescribed fire two miles east of White Oaks, NM, beginning this week. Smoke will be visible from White Oaks, Carrizozo, along Highway 54 and Highway 380.

Fire managers with Smokey Bear Ranger District will take advantage of expected favorable conditions to burn large piles of woody debris leftover from past forest restoration activities. The prescribed burn is planned between April 1 to April 4, 2021, but may be extended based on firefighter availability and weather conditions.

A final decision to proceed with a prescribed burn depends on multiple conditions, including the national wildland fire preparedness level and resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, and forecasted weather. The Lincoln National Forest also takes a risk-informed approach to managing prescribed fire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prescribed fire is part of a science-based framework for managing pinon-juniper forests, which historically burned naturally every 17-35 years. Prescribed fires also reduce the risk of high-severitywildfire and allow the lower-intensity fire to play its natural role in a frequent-fire ecosystem. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Thank you for your interest in the Lincoln National Forest