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Crews ignite prescribed burn in Mountainair Ranger District
Capilla Prescribed Fire Pile Burning on Nov. 29, 2023.
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands fire crew ignited 13 acres of pile burning in the Capilla Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project in the Manzano Mountains, according to a news release.
The release said crews ignited the burn Wednesday between the Upper and Lower Red Canyon Campgrounds, just west of FSR 253/422, and the ignitions are now complete, but the area will be monitored until all hot spots are completely out.
Residual smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Mountainair, Punta de Agua, Manzano, Torreon and the Estancia Valley.
"Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds," the release said.
The release added winter is an optimal time to burn woody debris from earlier forest restoration work, as the snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation.
