Prescribed Fire Near Canjilon Nears Completion

CANJILON, N.M., Oct. 21, 2023— Fire crews treated another 591 acres with broadcast prescribed fire in the Canjilon area today, wrapping up the primary ignitions in the Blas Unit for a total of 841 acres. Tomorrow, crews will work to clean-up some areas in and around the edges of the burn but little to no smoke or acreage in growth is expected. The nearby Montoya Unit will be addressed in the future.

“These are very key acres for providing a strong buffer around the village for future wildfires, especially helping to remove the remaining dead fuels from previous thinning activities,” said District Ranger Angie Krall.

The area remains open, but locals and visitors should take caution when entering a recently burned area. Some smoke will be visible throughout tomorrow from the interior smoldering pockets of unburned fuels and clean-up work. Motorists should slow down when in the area.

The Santa Fe National Forest has been conducting the 2,227-acre Rincon Prescribed Fire northwest of Coyote, N.M. Much of its smoke blew east and settled into the Abiquiu area this afternoon. This evening smoke from both prescribed fires carried into the Taos area.

The permanent air quality monitor at the Taos Fire Station was at 83 AQI, or moderate, at 8 p.m. People who are unusually sensitive to smoke are recommended to keep outdoor activities light and short. Go indoors if you have symptoms. Keep up to date with the Taos Fire Station air quality monitor and other local monitors on the on the Fire and Smoke Map.

“I’m aware of many people’s concerns about this evening’s smoke,” added District Ranger Krall. “We hear you and we’re listening. The feedback is incredibly important so we can continue improving the health of the forest while reducing the impact to the public.”

Mostly clear skies with temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s and humidity’s of 38 – 42 percent is forecasted for tonight. Very good ventilation is predicted again for Sunday with sunny skies, temps in the mid-70s and terrain driven winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west from 8 – 15 mph in the afternoon.

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).   

(Photo: Crew members hold hand ignitions on the Blas Unit)