Montoya Prescribed Fire Final Update

Canjilon, N.M., May 19, 2024 — Fire officials carefully considered the forecasted weather, fuel conditions, and resource availability when deciding to proceed with the Montoya Prescribed Fire that lies within the Canjilon Wildland Urban Interface Project. On May 17^th, firefighters began ignitions of the 899-acre prosed unit and had 835-acres successfully completed the following day. Due to the change in fuels, fire officials decided to postpone the remaining 64-acres.

Today, firefighters continued to patrol the perimeter for hot spots, fall hazard trees near the line and monitor any interior burns. Although there was an increase in winds today, operations reported that all lines are holding with no concerns. The focus will remain on securing the perimeter and strengthening the control lines. Crews will continue working until the control objectives are achieved and the fire is placed in monitor status.

The burn area experienced low to moderate intensity fire effects, allowing for a healthier forest while creating a strong buffer against future wildfires around the community of Canjilon. If a future wildfire reaches the area after treatments are completed, the fire behavior will likely be modified to a less intense, more manageable surface fire.

The area in and around the burn remains open, but locals and visitors are asked to take caution when entering a recently burned area. Motorists should slow down when in the area.

Smoke may be observed at times from interior smoldering pockets of unburned fuels, but no further growth is expected. Find the latest air quality for your area at, Fire and Smoke Map (www.airnow.gov).

Since 2011, Forest Service staff and partners have been thinning and applying prescribed fire around the communities of Canjilon and Placita Garcia, which are surrounded by Carson National Forest. Many adjacent private landowners, with the assistance of the state, are contributing by thinning and applying prescribed fire on their properties. A map that shows how the Montoya and Blas units fit into the bigger picture is available online.

The Canjilon project is part of the 3.8 million-acre Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, which supports the National Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

The public can learn more information about this prescribed fire on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and Carson National Forest social media channels (Facebook, X).