Upcoming Actions: Tuesday’s firing operations were successful. Fire crews began blacklining and will continue to strengthen the containment line along the focus area the next few days, with the possibility of helicopter aerial ignitions on Wed. or Thu. Fire managers continue to work closely with the meteorologist and specialists to assess conditions daily to ensure […]

Upcoming Actions: After assessing conditions, fire managers will proceed with firing operations. Today’s plan is to slowly bring fire along the containment perimeter to create a black line. Limited aerial firing to create depth on the lines will be conducted with an UAS, also known as a drone, which is equipped with a similar firing device […]

Ignitions will begin only if conditions remain favorable to meet objectives Conditions are becoming favorable to begin ignitions on the previously announced Bighorn/Stateline Project at the New Mexico-Colorado state border near U.S. Route 285. Weather and conditions permitting, crews will begin burning on or around Sat., Jun. 24. This 700- to 900-acre prescribed fire in […]

Upcoming Actions: Firing operations have been postponed again due to forecasted winds. However, fire managers, specialists and the meteorologist assisting with the Comanche Fire, will continuously assess the conditions of the focus area to determine if firing operations can begin Tue. Once conditions are advantageous for optimal fire behavior, ignitions can begin. This naturally caused […]

Ignitions on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire have been completed. 3,000 acres were treated in the project with low intensity burning across the forest floor that consumed dead and down surface fuels, like grasses and shrubs. Fire crews will be patrolling the area to watch for any heat near the perimeter. There will be residual smoldering, […]

Upcoming Actions: Fire crews will hold off firing operations to strengthen containment lines until Tuesday due to forecasted winds Monday. Fire managers and specialists, including a meteorologist, are closely monitoring weather and fuels for optimal conditions to commence ignitions on the naturally caused fire. The fire is staffed with over 150 people from federal, state and […]

Ignitions Complete; Monitor and Mop Up Continues   Yesterday, ignitions were completed on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire. Fire crews used hand ignitions to clean up pockets of surface fuels on the interior and to secure blackline. Afternoon wind gusts were experienced across the prescribed fire area but there was no threat to the […]

Upcoming Actions: All containment lines and features around the Comanche Fire focus area are nearing completion. Firing operations may be starting as early as Sunday. Fire managers are using multiple ignition techniques such as hand ignition by fire crews, helicopter operations for aerial firing and an uncrewed aerial system, popularly known as a drone, used […]

Actions: Over the next few days, fire crews will establish containment lines around the lightning-caused Comanche Fire and make provisions for possible firing operations later in the week. The fire is in Comanche Canyon near the communities of El Rito and Abiquiu. The focus area is approximately 10,000 acres. As the progression of the fire […]

Yesterday, fire crews on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire successfully established blackline around the perimeter of the prescribed fire area. Blackline is a line secured with low intensity burning to remove fuels. Today, ignitions on the remaining interior acreage, about 300 acres, will be completed as long as weather and fire behavior conditions remain favorable. A […]

Prescribed Fire Ignitions Continue South of Tres Piedras Carson National Forest fire crews began ignitions on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire south of Tres Piedras, NM, on Jun. 14 after careful consideration of forecasted weather and available resources in the area. One 25-person hotshot crew, along with engines, heavy equipment, hand crews and aircraft, were onsite […]

After careful discussion with meteorologists and fuels specialists, Carson National Forest fire crews are continuing to work toward ignitions of the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire tomorrow morning (map). The public can expect to see smoke south of Tres Piedras, NM, and west of U.S. Route 285. Please do not call 911.  “As the final […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are planning to move forward with the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire to the south of Tres Piedras, NM, this week. Ignitions could begin as early as Wed., Jun. 14, however the actual first day of operations will be determined by weather and on-site conditions.  “We’ve been trying to find an opportunity to implement this […]

With no threat to lives, homes or infrastructure from the Comanche Fire, which was caused by lightning, Carson National Forest crews are currently moving forward with a confine and contain strategy. This response allows fire to play its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem, which is a desired condition outlined in the Carson National Forest’s […]

Carson National Forest fire crews are currently on scene of a lightning-caused fire off Forest Road 137 on the El Rito Ranger District. It is located on the north slopes of Comanche Canyon and is approximately eight miles west of El Rito, NM, 11 miles north of Abiquiu, NM, and 10 miles southeast of Canjilon, […]

The Carson National Forest will postpone the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire after reviewing the latest weather data and forecasts. The official National Weather Service forecast now calls for west winds 20-30 mph with stronger gusts on Sunday with potentially another period of widespread, strong winds next Wednesday.  “The weather was looking very favorable and then […]

The Carson National Forest is planning to begin ignitions on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire as early as Sun., May 7. Firing operations on the 3,318-acre broadcast fire to the south of Tres Piedras, NM, are expected to last three to five days and may produce visible smoke from afar. Please do not call 911.  […]

As snow begins to melt and temperatures rise, Carson National Forest fire crews are increasing patrols of the Willow Piles Prescribed Fire near Hopewell Lake. So far, some snow remains on the ground and no heat has been found.  “The change of weather is an action point in our plan for increasing patrols,” said District Ranger Angie […]

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 […]