April 20, 2024 by cibolanfng
Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 20, 2024 – Pending favorable conditions, fire managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) may implement the previously announced Durfee Bolander units 5 & 6 prescribed fire (RX) on the Magdalena Ranger District as early as Sunday April 21, 2024. Smoke may be visible from the communities of Magdalena, Alamo and Datil.
Fire crews plan to burn approximately 1,455 acres on Unit 5 & 6 in the vicinity of Durfee and Bolander Canyon along FSR 220 and West of FSR 549. See map attached.
Ignition will depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Desired conditions will result in effective smoke ventilation and dispersal and help achieve the effects needed to achieve the burn plan objectives.
The Cibola NF & NGs manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state air quality and smoke management regulations. However, smoke may settle into drainages and lower elevations at night but is expected to dissipate as daytime temperatures increase. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the www.airnow.gov/
Our land management strategy is focused on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires are intended to reduce hazardous fuels accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Additionally, fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds. Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the priority.
Implementation announcements and updates on prescribed fire projects will be posted on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and on the Cibola NF & NGs website, Cibola Facebook and Cibola Twitter sites.
For more information on the Durfee Bolander prescribed fire, contact the Magdalena Ranger District Office at 575-854-2281 or Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900.
