Post date: Apr 27, 2013 5:59:37 PM
Alamogordo Daily News
Daily News Report
Posted: 04/26/2013 04:21:34 PM MDT
CLOUDCROFT -- The Sacramento Ranger District will open the U.S. Forest Service slash pit near Cloudcroft to accommodate private landowners who need to dispose of slash.
The slash pit, located one mile northeast of Cloudcroft near the junction of N.M. Highway 244 and U.S. Highway 82, is scheduled to be open April 27, May 4, May 11, May 25 and June 8. Plans to keep the pit open through the summer are contingent upon acceptable weather conditions, fuel load levels, staff availability and Forest Service-related logging and thinning activities in the vicinity of the slash pit that may temporarily impede access to site.
"The slash pit is now available to Cloudcroft residents who are engaged in Firewise projects that include removal of vegetation, such as trees, branches, shrubs, weeds and grass from private properties," said Caleb Finch, assistant fire management officer at the Sacramento Ranger District.
Once the slash pit is full, it will be closed to the public until the material can be removed. Coordination with Otero County will allow for the vegetative debris to be chipped and hauled to designated sites within the county. Dates and hours of operation will be posted at the Sacramento Ranger District office and at the entrance to the pit.
For more information, visit the Sacramento Ranger District Office at 4 Lost Lodge Road in Cloudcroft, or call (575) 682-2551 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.