October 19, 2026 
Jemez Ranger District Plans Prescribed Burning
Work could begin as early as Tuesday October 20, 2026
(Santa Fe, N.M., October 17, 2026) — The Jemez Ranger District is planning to implement the 412-acre Paliza Prescribed Fire as early as Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The unit is located northeast of Ponderosa, N.M., east of Highway 4, and adjacent to Highway 290. Forest Service officials estimate 1 to 4 days of implementation, as conditions allow. Certified prescribed fire specialists use prescribed fires to help remove excess vegetation and reduce wildfire risk.
Type of Work:
The Paliza Prescribed Fire is a “jackpot burn” meaning fire crews will burn scattered, concentrated pockets (“jackpots”) of heavy fuel rather than treating a broad area of the forest floor. Jackpot burning is commonly used after thinning or timber harvest operations, or in units where fuels are patchy.
Closures or Safety Notes:
No closures are associated with this planned prescribed fire activity. However, visitors should remain alert in the area as firefighters work.
Smoke Information:
Smoke may be visible and affect Jemez Springs, Pueblo of Jemez, Zia Pueblo, Ponderosa, Canon, Gilman, and from U.S. Route 550 between Rio Rancho and San Ysidro. The Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and monitors smoke during prescribed fires. Prescribed fires are timed for best smoke management. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information. Please do not report these fires, as firefighters will remain on scene throughout ignitions and patrol afterwards.
Additional Notifications:
The Forest Service will evaluate conditions in the days and hours before ignition. If conditions are not favorable, planned prescribed fire activities may be postponed or canceled.
Stay Informed:
For current updates about the prescribed fire schedule, visit:
• Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/fire/prescribed-fire
• Social media: Facebook and X
Restoring Forest Health Through Active Management
This project encompasses approximately 412 acres of mechanical cut, skid, and deck treatments across the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. Implemented as part of the broader Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, the work advanced long-term efforts to restore forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, and increase resilience to wildfire.
First, crews thinned dense ponderosa pine stands and removed excess vegetation. Then material generated from these treatments provided multiple community benefits. Merchantable timber was made available through commercial deck sales, supporting local businesses and the regional wood-products industry, while substantial volumes of fuelwood were made available for public use, providing an important resource for many local families.
The Paliza Prescribed Fire represents the next phase of this restoration effort. Following mechanical treatments, prescribed fire is used to reduce remaining surface fuels, consume residual slash created during timber harvesting operations, and reintroduce fire to the landscape. Together, the thinning and prescribed fire treatments work to restore and maintain healthier forest conditions, reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, and improve the long-term resilience of the Jemez Mountains. The Paliza South Prescribed Fire unit specifically includes the treatment of residual slash generated by timber harvesting activities as part of its restoration objectives.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Comments are closed.