Valles Caldera National Preserve Begins Prescribed Burns on San Antonio Mountain

Valles Caldera National Preserve News Release 

Release Date: January 12, 2024 

Contact: Dave Krueger, Chief of Interpretation (vall_news@nps.gov) 

Jemez Springs, NM – With good snow conditions, National Park Service fire managers plan to start burning piles on 225 acres in the San Antonio Mountain Pile Unit of Valles Caldera National Preserve as early as Tuesday, January 16. Ignition operations are expected to take multiple days and daily acreage will depend on conditions. 

So far this winter, fire crews have completed approximately 137 acres of pile-burning on the South Mountain Unit. These piles will continue to be monitored and an additional 170 acres may be burned if conditions allow. 

For the full list of potential burn locations, see the initial news release from November 30, 2023.

Fire updates will be posted on the park’s website under Current Conditions, Facebook page, and the New Mexico Fire Information website. Smoke-sensitive individuals may also be added to the park’s notification system by emailing a request to the park at vall_info@nps.gov. 

www.nps.gov/vall 

Valles Caldera National Preserve | About 1.25 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 13-mile-wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history. Visit us at nps.gov/vall.

National Park Service | More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 420+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov.