November 6, 2026 
Forest Service photo of Lincoln National Forest crew member burning planned prescribed piles.
(Alamogordo, NM, November 6, 2026) — The Lincoln National Forest is planning prescribed burn operations on both the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts next week. Forest Service officials estimate that implementation of the Baca Prescribed Burn Project on the Smokey Bear Ranger District could begin as early as November 10, 2026, depending on weather and fuel moisture conditions. Ignitions on the Sacramento Ranger District are planned for November 11 through November 21, 2026, as conditions allow. Prescribed fires are conducted by certified fire personnel to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health, and help protect nearby communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from the impacts of large, high-severity wildfires.
Type of Work:
- Baca Broadcast Burn (Smokey Bear RD)- 24 acres located north of Lincoln and west of Baca Campground.
- Black Bear Campground Piles (Sacramento RD)- 24 acres located off HWY 130 near Sleepy Grass and Aspen Campgrounds.
- Upper Karr Campground Piles (Sacramento RD) – 11 acres located off of the Sunspot Scenic Byway.
- Wofford Piles (Sacramento RD) – 11 acres located off HWY 244 near the Wofford lookout.
Closures or Safety Notes:
No closures are associated with these planned prescribed fire activities. However, visitors should remain alert in the areas as firefighters work.
Smoke Information:
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed fires in the communities of Capitan, Lincoln, Cloudcroft, Penasco Canyon, Pierce Canyon, and Silver Springs NM. While smoke may be visible, the Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and closely monitor smoke during prescribed fires. Prescribed fires are timed for best smoke management. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information.
When driving through smokey areas:
- Slow down!
- Turn on headlights.
- Use hazards in areas of heavy smoke to improve visibility for other drivers.
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 will be postponed or canceled.
Stay Informed:
For current updates about the prescribed fire schedule, visit:
• Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln
• Social media: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest
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.
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