DEMING – Residents in the Deming area may notice smoke in the coming days as federal land managers prepare to conduct a planned prescribed burn in portions of Luna County as part of an ongoing wildfire prevention and land management effort.
According to the Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces District Office, crews will begin burning sacaton draws southeast of Cooks Peak, approximately 20 miles east of Deming, starting the week of March 23. The operation is weather dependent and is expected to take up to four days to complete once it begins. Officials say up to 5,000 acres of grass and brush could be treated across two separate units.
Firefighters and wildland personnel will conduct and closely monitor the burn, which is designed to reduce hazardous fuels, lower wildfire risk to nearby private property, and improve overall ecosystem health. Land managers say the project will also help rejuvenate native grasses, reduce tree encroachment into grasslands, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Officials note that smoke may be visible in the burn areas for up to a week after ignition operations are completed, and drivers traveling along major roadways including Interstate 10, Interstate 25, Highway 180, and Highway 26 could see smoke in the distance.
The Bureau of Land Management says prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools for managing vegetation and reducing the risk of large, uncontrolled wildfires, and they encourage residents to remain aware of changing conditions during the operation.