Mt. Taylor Ranger District Sawyer Prescribed Fire April 23 Update

Today, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands fire crews completed ignitions on 706 acres of the previously announced Sawyer prescribed fire. Crews will continue to secure and control the perimeters.

Residual smoke may be visible for a couple of days in the surrounding area of Ramah, Gallup, Thoreau, Bluewater, Grants and Millan.

Our land management strategy is centered 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.