Carson National Forest

Forest Service News Release

Earl Hidayetoglu

505-901-3454

earl.hidayetoglu@usda.gov

fs.usda.gov/carson

Highway 150 Piles Enter Monitoring Phase

Taos, N.M., November 17, 2024—Fire crews continued ignitions on the Highway 150 Piles Prescribed Fire today. Here’s the latest:

• Fire crews completed 15 additional acres in the Highway 150 Piles project area at the Taos Ski Valley along the Bull of the Woods trail.
• Crewswill now enter a monitoring phase and stand down ignitions until another good weather window appears.
• Trails along Highway 150 remain open, but hikers should exercise caution and expect some smoke.
• The Carson would like to extend its gratitude to the Forest Stewards Guild for providing air purifiers to loan to the public. We hope to continue this service for future burns. 

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 the 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.