UPDATE: David Canyon prescribed fire on Sandia Ranger District

Yesterday (10/20/21) fire crews on the David Canyon prescribed fire burned approximately 84 acres in block 8.

Today, plans are to burn 208 acres in block 7. See Map attached.

David Canyon is located west of Hwy 337 and West of the Mars Court trailhead. Map attached.

We ask visitors to avoid areas of Pine Flat, Otero Canyon, Tunnel Canyon, Oak Flats and Mars Court trails system.

The Cibola NF & NGs manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management.

Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Tijeras, Edgewood, Moriarty and Albuquerque.

The decision to proceed depends on multiple factors, including resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. Fire managers monitor the weather before a prescribed fire is planned and receive a specific weather forecast the day of the burn to see if the conditions are within the parameters set in the prescribed fire plan. If the wind speed (or other conditions) are outside the prescription, the burn will not be implemented.

Learn more about the David Canyon RX in our 4 part video series starting with:

Part I: Introduction and Overview of the Project Area https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlSN_E2lXSs

Part II: Operations Plan and Smoke

For more information on the David Canyon prescribed fire, contact the Sandia Ranger District Office at 505-281-3304 or Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900

The Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.