Prescribed Fire Ignitions Completed Near Canjilon

Canjilon, N.M., May 18, 2024 @ 7 p.m. — After 2 days of successful firing operations, fire officials have determined there is no need to continue with hand and aerial ignitions on the Montoya Prescribed Fire. Firefighters completed 835-acres of the proposed total 899-acre unit within the Canjilon Wildland Urban Interface Project. Today, they focused on igniting a few unburned areas within the perimeter and securing the control lines on the east and west by cooling hot stumps and logs that were near the line.

Personnel will remain in the area to continue checking the fire by walking the unit boundary, mopping up the perimeter, falling hazard trees and monitoring any remaining interior burning. Smoke will be observed at times from interior smoldering pockets of unburned fuels, but no further growth is expected.

The burn area is experiencing low to moderate intensity fire effects, allowing for a healthier forest while creating a strong buffer against future wildfires around the community of Canjilon. If a future wildfire reaches the area after treatments are completed, the fire behavior will likely be modified to a less intense, more manageable surface fire.

The area in and around the burn remains open, but locals and visitors are asked to take caution when entering a recently burned area. Motorists should slow down when in the area and around firefighters or apparatuses.

Mostly cloudy skies with a chance of sprinkles are forecasted for tonight with temps in the mid-40’s and humidity in the low-40’s. Mostly sunny skies will return tomorrow with temps from 68 – 72, humidity 11 -15% and variable winds. Ventilation rates are expected to remain excellent into next week.

Minimal smoke impacts are expected now that most of the fuels have been consumed. Find the latest air quality for your area at, Fire and Smoke Map (www.airnow.gov).

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. 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).