Carson National Forest La Jara Prescribed Pile Burns

Taos, NM, November 7, 2016—For Immediate Release. The Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest plans to take advantage of fall weather conditions to conduct several prescribed pile burns. These pile burns are the result of thinning and piling contracts completed from 2012 to 2016 in Wildland Urban Interface areas (WUI) east of Taos along east NM Highway 64. These burns will only occur when conditions such as weather, winds, and resources are favorable and each burn will last one or two days.

Name: East La Jara piles
Location: two miles north and east of Angel Fire, one mile west of the community of Taos Pines.
Size: 147 acres

Name: North Shady Brook piles
Location: Taos Canyon, north of the Shady Brook area
Size: 80 acres

Name: Taos Pines WUI piles
Location: three miles north and east of Angel Fire, east of Forest Road 5 next to the community of Taos Pines.
Size 100 acres

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives. These pile burns are being conducted to reduce the risk of high intensity running crown fire and therefore offering greater protection to the communities of Taos Canyon, Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Smoke may be visible from the communities of Taos Canyon, Shady Brook, Valle Escondido, Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Motorist are encouraged to use caution when smoke is present along NM Highway 64 and Hwy 434.
Smoke from these pile burns will be monitored, and the information will be available to provide health advisories as necessary. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found at the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information please contact the Camino Real Ranger District at 575-587-2255.