GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) – The National Park Service is planning a prescribed burn at El Malpais National Monument. The plan is to burn about 500 acres of federal land on the north side of El Malpais National Monument alongside Highway 53 in April.
“The primary objective of this prescribed fire is to improve savannah grasslands and Pinyon-juniper ecosystems by reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire,” the National Park Service said in a press release. “Fire plays a natural role at El Malpais and helps ensure the resiliency of this fire dependent ecosystem.”
The National Park Service says smoke may be visible during the burn period. Parts of the Zuni-Acoma Trail (from Highway 53 to the Continental Divide Trail) will be closed, and Highway 53 may be reduced to one lane, the National Park Service says. The Continental Divide Trail will remain open during the burn.
