News Release

Rendija Prescribed Fire Planned

Date: April 4, 2018
Contact: Mandi Toy, 505-285-4641x18
Contact: Kevin Parrish, 505-285-4641x35

Grants, NM: El Malpais National Monument and The Bureau of Land Management’s El Malpais National Conservation Area plan to conduct a prescribed fire on the west side of the monument near the junction of CR 42 and the Big Tubes turn-off. The Rendija prescribed fire is approximately 1,500 acres. The prescribed fire may begin as early as mid-April. The exact dates will be dependent on weather and fuel conditions.

The prescribed fire is expected to last three to five days with smoke present for several days. Firefighters plan to use handheld and aerial ignitions. The Big Tubes Road (NPS 300 Road) will be closed during the burn phase and, if conditions warrant, a pilot car may be used along County Road 42. Please slow down, turn your headlights on, and watch for firefighters working along the road when traveling in this area.

The primary objective of this prescribed fire is to improve forest health by reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire. Fire plays a natural role at El Malpais and helps ensure the resiliency of this fire dependent ecosystem. 

Over 100 years of fire suppression has occurred on most public lands throughout the western United States, which has greatly affected forest health and wildlife. Without the natural process of fire, southwestern forests and woodlands have become overgrown and vulnerable to drought, insects, and threats of catastrophic wildfire. Restoration of forest and woodland ecosystems using appropriate management actions (e.g. prescribed fires) helps to re-establish the natural fire regime and benefits native plant and animal communities while at the same time protecting visitors, facilities, and resources within and adjacent to the park from unwanted fire effects from wildfires.

For questions about the prescribed fire call the Fire Management Officer Kevin Parrish at  [phone]x35. Fire information will also be available on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov and http://nmfireinfo.com. Learn more about what’s involved in planning and implementing a prescribed fire at http://go.nps.gov/w47xk0.