April 30, 2021 
TAOS, NM – April 30, 2021 — After successful test ignitions, crews are proceeding with the previously announced Martinez Canyon and Ring Rx prescribed burns today on the Carson National Forest. Both prescribed burns are expected to continue through Saturday, May 1, 2021 if favorable weather is present. The 1,893-acre Martinez Canyon prescribed burn is located 2 miles north of Tres Piedras, New Mexico. The Ring Rx unit is approximately 4,968 acres within the Valle Vidal located south of McCrystal Campground and Forest Road 1950.
The Martinez Canyon prescribed burn is being conducted to maintain and restore the ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer forest. The intent of the Ring Rx prescribed burn is to treat fuels that have accumulated over the last 15 years and reintroduce fire onto the landscape to imitate a more natural fire regime.
The decision to proceed with implementation depends on multiple conditions, including snowpack, fuel moisture levels, air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives and will be managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
The Carson National Forest manages prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke from the Martinez Canyon burn may be visible from surrounding communities in Taos and Rio Arriba counties. Smoke from the Ring Rx prescribed burn may be visible from Highway 64 between Ute Park, Cimarron, and Raton. A high priority of these prescribed burns will be to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding communities by utilizing available Emissions Reduction Techniques (ERTs).
Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website.
Fire updates will be posted on the Carson National Forest website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Carson National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @CarsonNF.
Martinez Canyon Prescribed Burn
NM Fire Info 
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