UPDATE for Prescribed Fire Operations on the Cibola National Forest

Magdalena Ranger District – Hop Patterson Prescribed Fire
Mountainair Ranger District – Pueblo Colorado Prescribed Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – January 27, 2026 – As previously announced, the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) implemented prescribed fire operations yesterday on the Magdalena Ranger District Hop Patterson Prescribed (Rx) Fire & Mountainair Ranger District Pueblo Colorado Prescribed (Rx) Fire Piles.

Updates on Prescribed Fire Operations:

Magdalena Ranger District – Hop Patterson Prescribed Fire: Yesterday, fire crews successfully completed ignitions on 50 acres of piles. With all the required approval, ignitions are continuing today on pile burning within the unit. The project area is 704 acres of broadcast and pile burning units located 3 miles south of Magdalena and adjacent to the communities of Hop and Patterson Canyon within the Magdalena Mountains, NM. Smoke may be visible from Alamo and Magdalena, NM. See map attached.

Mountainair Ranger District – Pueblo Colorado Prescribed Fire: Yesterday fire crews successfully completed ignitions on 100 acres of piles. No further ignitions are planned for this week. Fire crews will continue mop up cooling ash pits and monitor until the unit is declared out. The project area is located in the Gallinas Mountains in Torrance County, NM southeast of Willard and 15 miles Northwest of Corona, NM. Residual smoke may be visible from Willard, Cedarvale, Corona or within the Estancia Valley. See map attached.

We use prescribed fires to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

These areas may be closed to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. Smoke is expected to lift during the day, however, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.