LAS CRUCES - Smoke and haze from two controlled burns may linger over Las Cruces skies today.

The federal Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with Fort Bliss officials and several regional firefighting agencies, conducted a prescribed burn Thursday on land abutting the McGregor Range on Fort Bliss and BLM land atop Otero Mesa.

Loretta Benavidez, fire mitigation and education specialist with the BLM, said Thursday's burn was expected to reduce standing fuel loads on 140 acres, and prevent future fires from crossing into private land.

Another burn Friday at the Dripping Springs Natural Resource Area targeted 50 acres of brush and grass to protect historic and natural features in the area. The Dripping Springs Natural Area was closed to the public Friday for one day only.

Both burns sent smoke into the city from the southern end of the Organ Mountains.


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