Seeding To Begin This Week On NM Little Bear Fire

A special team assigned to survey the damage of the Little Bear Fire in southern New Mexico says aerial seeding will begin on parts of the burn scar this week.

There will be at least two phases of seeding on about 12,000 acres of heavily burned lands within the Lincoln National Forest. The grass seed will be spread by a fixed-wing aircraft, and an application of straw mulch will follow via helicopter.

Officials say the mulch protects the seed and encourages germination by retaining moisture.

Work is also being done to recondition roads and remove hazard trees.

The lightning-sparked Little Bear Fire burned through nearly 70 square miles and destroyed more than 240 homes and other structures.

Crews are also working on rehabilitating 39 miles of dozer line and 34 miles of hand-constructed line.