Forest Service plans fall and winter burns in the Zuni Mountains, and smoke may reach Gallup

The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands plans three prescribed fires in the Zuni Mountains this fall and winter, and says smoke may be visible in Gallup.

The largest, the Monighan fire, would burn 3,907 acres on the Bluewater Project, about 13 miles southeast of Ft. Wingate and 27 miles west of Grants. The McGaffey and McQue Flats fire covers 1,665 acres on the Puerco Project, also about 13 miles southeast of Ft. Wingate. The McGaffey and Quaking Aspen fire, 113 acres, is off Highway 400 about 7 miles from Ft. Wingate.

All three are on the Mount Taylor Ranger District. The Forest Service says smoke from each may be visible around Ramah, Gallup, Thoreau, Bluewater and the Grants area.

No burn days are set. Ignition depends on wind, weather, fuel moisture and required approvals, the Forest Service says, and it will evaluate conditions in the days and hours before a burn. If conditions are not favorable, a burn may be postponed or canceled.

Burn areas may be closed while crews work. The agency asks drivers to watch for warning signs on roads near the burns, and to slow down and turn on their headlights when they meet smoke on the road.

The forest uses prescribed fire to remove excess vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, improve habitat and watershed health, and restore fire-adapted ecosystems, the notice says.

The notice also lists burns on the forest's other ranger districts and national grasslands, all well outside the Gallup area.

What

Three prescribed fires on the Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest

When

This fall into winter, on days set by wind, weather and fuel moisture

Where

South and southeast of Ft. Wingate, in the Zuni Mountains

Smoke

May be visible in Ramah, Gallup, Thoreau, Bluewater and the Grants area

Air quality

https://fire.airnow.gov/