Prescribed burns for Melrose Air Force Range

link U.S. Air Force photo: Tech. Sgt. Josef Cole, Kerry Gregg, Melrose Air Force Range fire management officer, uses a drip torch to start fires for a March 5 controlled burn. Controlled burns are used to deprive wild fires of fuel and to prevent them from spreading. Melrose Range provides a space for realistic training of ground and air forces and is operated by Cannon Air Force Base.

To continue to reduce the risk of wildfires in eastern New Mexico, the 27th Special Operations Wing will conduct a series of prescribed controlled burns at Melrose Air

Force Range during the next 90 days as weather permits.

These fires clear the amount of vegetation in targeted areas and help reduce the risk of wildfires caused by training or by natural causes, such as lightning. Exact dates for prescribed burns cannot be provided, as highly variable weather conditions will affect timing, and they will only be conducted under safe, optimum conditions.

For more information, please call 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Office at 575-784-4131 or visit http://www.cannon.af.mil.