Fire Managers to Proceed with Prescribed Burn North of Mayhill For Week of April 20 if Conditions Allow

A controlled or prescribed burn, also known as hazard reduction burning, backfire, swailing, or a burn-off, is a fire set intentionally for purposes of forest management, farming, prairie restoration or greenhouse gas abatement.

CLOUDCROFT, NM – Apr. 15, 2021 – Crews plan to continue with the ongoing 16 Springs Prescribed Burn on the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest starting as early as Tuesday, April 20, 2021, if conditions allow. The 16 Springs Prescribed Burn consists of four areas from Mayhill to Silver Springs. Firefighters will focus on a site about two miles north of Mayhill near Lantham Gap and Burnt Canyon next week. Fire managers have been prescribed burning throughout winter and spring, trying to reduce hazardous fuels before the onset of summer when temperatures and moisture levels halt prescribed burning activities and firefighting resources must respond to emergency wildfires.

Firefighters and equipment will be on scene and will continue to monitor the fire for many days following ignitions. Smoke from the 16 Springs Prescribed Burn may be visible from 16 Springs, Mayhill, and Hwy 82.

Each prescribed burn is carefully planned and designed to meet specific objectives. They are always managed with public and firefighter safety as the first priority. To be considered a successful prescribed burn, the fire must carry and consume the dead material on the ground but mild enough to burn at a lower intensity. The decision to proceed with a prescribed fire depends on multiple conditions at that specific prescribed burn location. Considerations included fuel (aka wood and plant) moisture levels, air quality, wind direction, and weather forecasts. Fire staff chose next week to burn in part because of the forecasted moisture and lower temperature over the weekend.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems 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 (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website.