Highway 150 Piles Burn

Earl Hidayetoglu

505-901-3454

earl.hidayetoglu@usda.gov

fs.usda.gov/carson

Highway 150 Piles Burn

Taos, N.M., November 14, 2024—Fire crews began ignitions on the Highway 150 Piles

Prescribed Fire today. Here’s the latest:

• Fire crews completed 88 of 300 treated acres in the Highway 150 Piles project area,

mostly on the southside of New Mexico Highway 150.

• Crewswill take advantage of the good ventilation window tomorrow, November 16, to

continue treating remaining piles on the southside of Highway 150.

• Trails along Highway 150 remain open, but hikers should exercise caution and expect

some smoke.

• It took a team to make today happen. Fire managers would like to thank staff from

across the Forest, including Taos Ski Valley Fire Department, Red River Fire Chasers,

the Carson Hotshots and West Zone fire resources for their efforts in today’s success.

Project Background

Today’s work is part of the Highway 150 Corridor Wildland Urban Interface Project. Local

organizations in 2014 came together to form the Taos Valley Watershed Coalition, which named

the highway corridor as one of its priorities for protecting the forest and watershed that

communities depend on.

The piles were made from thinning along length of Highway 150 within Carson National Forest,

between Valdez to above the Village of Taos Ski Valley along the Wheeler Peak Trail. More

information about the project is available at fs.usda.gov/goto/Hwy150Project.

Today’s burn occurred in the Enchanted Circle Wildfire Crisis Landscape, an area recognized by

Congress as a national priority given its ecological and cultural importance.

Smoke

Fire managers work with the New Mexico Environment Department to conduct ignitions on

days when smoke impacts will be limited. Nonetheless, smoke will be present and will impact

nearby areas, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

Smoke readiness tips are available at fs.usda.gov/goto/CarsonRxSmoke.