For Release:   April 2023      

Contacts:   Patrick Morrow, 575-678-7095 WSMR Wildlife Biologist, Fire Chief Rene Garza, 575-678-0314 WSMR Fire and Emergency Services, Steve Bumgarner, 575-386-6558 Contractor- Wildland Fire Specialist

Weather and other conditions permitting, the Department of the Army, White Sands Missile Range’s (WSMR) Directorate of Public Works-Environmental Division plans to execute a prescribed fire project in the central San Andres Mountains within Bear Den Canyon. The Upper Bear Den Canyon prescribed fire is planned for implementation April 15-17, 2023.

This prescribed fire is part of a fuel reduction and grassland ecosystem maintenance project on WSMR to enhance native forage for a variety of wildlife species. Weather and other conditions permitting, approximately 3,500 acres will be burned to reduce the invasion of one-seed juniper plants, remove plant litter, recycle plant nutrients, and create a seedbed for new growth of desirable native forbs, grasses, and shrubs.

Ignition is planned to last two to four days in total and may produce visible smoke, especially in the vicinity of Harden and Wood ranches, and on Range Road 5 each burn day. These fires may result in some residual smoke that can settle into drainage bottoms during nighttime hours for a few days after ignitions are complete.

This prescribed fire will be implemented under a prescriptive set of guidelines and weather parameters that consider public and firefighter safety, smoke impacts and fire effects on the vegetation being burned.  If unsafe weather conditions or military scheduling conflicts exist or are forecast, the burn will be delayed until such time as all prescription parameters are met.

The Upper Bear Den Canyon prescribed fire will be executed by a mix of personnel from the WSMR Fire and Emergency Services, the Bureau of Land Management’s Socorro Field Office and possibly, other contracted wildland fire services.

Anyone having questions or concerns about the planned activity is encouraged to call the contacts listed above.