Aerial seeding planned for McBride Fire burn scar area

RUIDOSO, N.M. — Areas impacted by the McBride Fire will undergo aerial seeding later this week.

The aerial seeding is set for Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2, over 335 hillside acres with moderate to high burn severity.

The seeding is aimed at stabilizing the impacted land to reduce post-fire runoff and erosion in the Devil Canyon, Middle Rio Ruidoso and Upper Rio Ruidoso Creek/River watersheds on National Forest System lands. Crews conducted field assessments to identify the high-priority locations.

Up to 50 pounds of seed mix per acre will be strategically dropped over the land by helicopter. The seed mix includes barley, western wheatgrass and sideoats grama.

Lincoln National Forest officials are encouraging extreme caution if they drive on Forest Road 120. Fire prevention patrol units will be stationed along sections of the road to ensure traffic moves steadily safely through the corridor during the seeding.