With winter weather continuing to bring moisture to Northern New Mexico, Carson National Forest fire staff are preparing to move forward with ignitions of debris piles near the communities of Ojo Sarco and Canjilon. These prescribed fires would only move forward pending suitable conditions.  Fire crews this week completed the 2023 Willow Piles Prescribed Fire, where debris piles […]

Carson National Forest fire crews completed ignitions on the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire on Tuesday (Feb. 28). Piles of vegetation created from 67 acres of thinning are currently burning down as snow falls over the area to the east of Hopewell Lake. Piles from 350 acres of thinning were treated on Feb. 9.  “I’m so […]

The Willow Piles Prescribed Fire burn boss plans to continue ignitions on Tue., Feb. 28, if forecasted weather conditions hold steady. Recent storms added more snow to the area and predicted winds are optimal to loft and disperse smoke from the burn location. Piles from 150 acres of forest thinning remain on site. Once treated, […]

The burn boss canceled today’s plan to ignite the remaining Willow Piles. Fire crew members cannot make safe access due to the winter storm. The burn boss will look for another day when conditions are suitable.

With more winter storms hitting Northern New Mexico, fire crews are planning to continue ignitions on the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire project on Wed., Feb. 15. A fresh layer of snow has fallen and breezy winds will help loft and disperse smoke. Piles from 150 acres of forest thinning remain on site and would be […]

70 percent of piles on the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire project were successfully ignited Thursday. A fresh layer of snow and weather worked to the crew’s advantage, adding more moisture to the area and ventilating the smoke, lofting and dispersing it. Fire crews will not continue ignitions on Fri., Feb. 10, due to unfavorable conditions; […]

Carson National Forest fire crews began ignitions on the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire at about 10:15 a.m. Numerous large piles of debris from 500 acres of thinning will continue to be ignited throughout the day and potentially into the weekend if conditions are favorable. The burn boss conducted an on-site review of all requirements, including […]

Fire crews are planning to begin the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire on Thu., Feb. 9. The plan was determined after a meeting between fire staff and meteorologists on Tue., Feb. 7. Impacts from any smoke are expected to be moderated due to an incoming weather system. Light winds out of the north and northwest will […]

Fire crews are waiting for improved conditions to begin ignitions on the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire located near Hopewell Lake on the Tres Piedras Ranger District. Current weather modeling shows low chances of smoke ventilation tomorrow (Feb. 7), the first day of potential ignitions. Another update will be posted after fire management leadership meets with […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to resume prescribed fire operations this winter to reduce hazardous fuels in advance of warmer, drier weather. The Willow Piles Prescribed Fire, which would only move forward pending suitable conditions, is the first such for the Carson National Forest after the USDA Forest Service National Prescribed Fire Review was released […]