October 10, 2025 
Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to begin jackpot and pile burning near a handful of communities north of Taos, N.M., as early as Oct. 13. The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather, fuel moisture conditions and required approvals.
The 1,778-acre prescribed fire unit is located along and east of Highway 522 and near the communities of Arroyo Hondo, San Cristobal, Turley Mill and Gallina Canyon. A map and more information is available online (https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/kiowa-san-cristobal-wildland…).
Crews will apply fire to the understory of forested areas, targeting high concentrations, or “jackpots,” of fuels on the forest floor after the completion of thinning and public fuelwood collection in previous years. They will also burn piles created from thinning work.
Wildfire presents an especially high risk when human development occurs within piñon-juniper woodlands, where lightning-caused wildfires were historically infrequent but high-intensity. As part of the Kiowa-San Cristobal Wildland Urban Interface Project, fire planners have strategically placed thinning and prescribed fire units around the community to moderate fire behavior and create defensible space between wildfires and homes/infrastructure.
Smoke
Unlike large wildfires, prescribed fires are short-term in duration and planned with advance notice. Staff coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department to conduct ignitions on days when smoke impacts are minimized.
Nonetheless, smoke will be present and may settle in some local or farther out areas in the evenings and overnight.
Taking care of your health is important as smoke can affect everyone. And preparing for prescribed fire helps you become smoke-ready for wildfires, when smoke abruptly shows up and can last longer. Smoke-ready tips are available online (https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/man…/smoke-prescribed-fires…).
Get Notifications
The public can sign up for email notices about prescribed fires and more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/keep-in-touch.
NM Fire Info 
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