What You Need to Know About Prescribed Burns in New Mexico

Prescribed burns have so many ecological benefits if properly controlled

New Mexico is one of the few states that allow controlled burns, also known as prescribed burns or fuel reduction burns. In New Mexico, these burns take place in arid and semi-arid regions in the spring and fall, but not in the summer due to the high risk of wildfires such as the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires.

Carrying out a controlled burn requires significant planning, monitoring, and training. It’s no easy task, but it’s an important one! These fires remove excess underbrush and small shrubs that would normally be inaccessible to larger pests like moose and elk. 

By opening up the forest floor, new growth can sprout, which provides food for deer and other large game animals. These burns also reduce potential fuel sources from smaller shrubs that could catch fire during drier months. 

Keeping everything in check prevents forest fires from spreading rapidly through tinder-dry land. 

What is a Prescribed Burn?

A prescribed burn is an intentional fire that’s managed by qualified personnel to achieve specific land management objectives. The length of the burn, the fuel type, weather conditions, and terrain are all taken into consideration when carrying out a controlled burn. Controlling the burn in this way reduces the risk of it getting out of hand. 

Controlled burns are used as a management tool on public and private lands to help achieve desired land conditions and provide ecological benefits. They are sometimes used to reduce fuel loads, pre-emptively treat areas that have high fire potential, or reduce fuels to increase the effectiveness of prescribed natural fire.

Why Carry Out a Prescribed Burn?

A prescribed burn removes excess underbrush, small shrubs, and other fuels that would normally be inaccessible to large animals like elk and moose. The burn also opens up the forest floor for new growth, which provides food for animals like deer. The goal is to create a healthier ecosystem for all living creatures in the area. Prescribed burns are also used as a tool to reduce potential fuel sources from smaller shrubs that could catch fire during drier months. By keeping everything in check, forest fires are prevented from spreading rapidly through tinder-dry land.

How Do You Carry Out a Prescribed Burn?

Before starting a burn, the crew will survey the land for small animals, like lizards and snakes. They’ll also monitor the air quality to make sure weather conditions are safe for a burn. 

Once the weather is right and all animals have been cleared out, the crew will light the fire. They’ll closely monitor the fire to make sure it’s burning at a safe rate of speed. They’ll also use water to keep the fire contained in the desired area.

What to Expect During a Prescribed Burn

An important thing to remember if a prescribed burn is happening in your area is that the smoke may be thick, and it may smell a bit like burning tires. The day before the prescribed burn is set to happen, you may see smoke rising from the burn area. This is the crew burning small piles of dead trees and shrubs to get larger fuel piles ready for burning. 

The smoke may be visible for a few hours as the piles are being burned. On the day of the burn, you may see a crew of firefighters doing a “backfire.” This is when one crew sets a fire on the edge of the area that needs to be burned. This fire helps prevent the larger fire from burning beyond the area that needs to be cleared.

How to Know if a Prescribed Burn is Coming

You may receive pamphlets, announcements, or see signs posted in your area alerting you to a controlled burn. If this happens, you may see smoke rising from the area as firefighters start small fires to get larger fuel piles ready for burning. Information about burns is also posted online. You can sign up for alerts on the Forest Health Protection website and receive information about prescribed burns in your area.

Important Things to Remember When There’s a Prescribed Burn Coming

You may be able to see or smell the burn from your home, so be sure to pay attention to any alerts or information you receive. These burns are carefully monitored to prevent them from spreading. If you smell smoke or see smoke rising from a nearby area, it could be a prescribed burn. If you’re concerned that the smoke may pose a health risk, call your county health department to report it. If you have animals such as horses or livestock on your property, make sure they have enough water. These burns can create a lot of smoke, which can be harmful to animals if they don’t have access to a clean water source.

Final Words

New Mexico is one of the few states that allow controlled burns, also known as prescribed burns or fuel reduction burns. In New Mexico, these burns take place in arid and semi-arid regions in the spring and fall, but not in the summer due to the high risk of wildfires. Carrying out a controlled burn requires significant planning, monitoring, and training. It’s no easy task, but it’s an important one! These fires remove excess underbrush and small shrubs that would normally be inaccessible to larger pests like moose and elk. By opening up the forest floor, new growth can sprout, which provides food for deer and other large game animals. These burns also reduce potential fuel sources from smaller shrubs that could catch fire during drier months. Keeping everything in check prevents forest fires from spreading rapidly through tinder-dry land

Prescribed burns can escalate if not well-monitored, causing injuries and devastating damages. At Will Ferguson & Associates, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of fire accidents get the compensation and justice they deserve. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire accident, contact our attorneys now for a free consultation.

The post What You Need to Know About Prescribed Burns in New Mexico appeared first on Personal Injury Lawyer New Mexico.

source https://fergusonlaw.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-prescribed-burns-in-new-mexico/