Fall in New Mexico means the Balloon Fiesta, roasting green chile and prescribed burns.
Many prescribed burning operations by various land management agencies and private landowners are set for this month, including several that will impact the East Mountains.
During the prescribed burns, the public can expect increased visibility of smoke in certain areas.
According to a press release from the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, these burns are part of a strategy to lower “the risk of wildfires and enhance ecosystem resilience. By reducing hazardous fuel loads and restoring natural fire regimes, these efforts aim to safeguard communities and promote long-term ecological health across the state’s diverse landscapes.”
The prescribed burns are a proactive effort from management agencies to mitigate the risk of wildfires while protecting communities and natural resources. Numerous prescribed burn projects are currently underway across New Mexico, and detailed information about these initiatives can be found online:
- Multiagency prescribed fire and wildfire alerts: nmfireinfo.com
- EMNRD’s Forest Action Plan: emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/forest-action-plan/
- Cooperative land management efforts between the BLM and the Forest Service: forestsandrangelands.gov/
The release said, “It is crucial for the public, particularly individuals sensitive to smoke and those engaging in outdoor recreation on public lands, to stay informed about the timing and location of these controlled burns. Awareness of these activities ensures safety and minimizes disruptions while supporting essential fire management and ecological restoration efforts.”
According to the release, “the growing frequency of extreme weather events, coupled with prolonged periods of drought, has intensified the vulnerability of New Mexico’s forests and grasslands. Land management agencies, recognizing these evolving risks, are increasingly integrating prescribed fire into their long-term planning efforts, protecting not just individual communities but the wider landscape.”
Prescribed burning is also integral to the ecological health and functionality of New Mexico’s forested, desert, and grassland ecosystems. Many of these ecosystems evolved alongside periodic natural fires, which helped regulate the density of vegetation, promote the regeneration of fire-adapted plant species, and maintain biodiversity. But decades of fire suppression policies have led to unnaturally dense forests and a decline in ecological resilience.
The release said prescribed burns help thin overgrown forests, reducing competition for water and nutrients among trees, which is particularly important in drought-stressed environments. And heat generated by burns can break down organic matter, releasing nutrients into the soil
The execution of prescribed burns is a highly technical and regulated process. Before a burn is conducted, extensive planning occurs, including an evaluation of weather patterns, topography, fuel moisture levels and potential impacts on nearby communities, according to the release.
