Over 6,500 Acres of Understory Burning Accomplished in October With the arrival of winter weather in Northern New Mexico, fire crews are preparing to potentially begin pile burning operations across Carson National Forest this fall and winter. Work may first occur along or near Highway 150 and in the Valle Vidal. The exact days of […]

Fire crews wrapped up much of the treatment on the North Hart Prescribed Fire in Valle Vidal today. Here’s the latest: Project Background The North Hart Prescribed Fire is a cross-boundary burn between Carson National Forest and Vermejo Reserve. It’s the first project on the forest that uses a congressionally authorized tool known as a […]

Fire crews began ignitions on the North Hart Prescribed Fire in the Valle Vidal today. Here’s the latest: Project Background The North Hart Prescribed Fire is an 1,871-acre cross-boundary burn between Carson National Forest and Vermejo Reserve. It’s the first project on the forest that uses a congressionally authorized tool known as a Wyden Agreement […]

Crews Continue to Patrol and Monitor Current Projects Here’s the latest for prescribed fire activity on the Carson National Forest: Be Smoke Ready Smoke is an inevitable part of living in a fire-dependent ecosystem. Unlike wildfires, the good news is prescribed fires are short-term in duration and planned in coordination with the New Mexico Environment […]

Taos, N.M., Oct. 13, 2024—Here’s the latest for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest: Stay Updated Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep updated with prescribed fire and other Carson National Forest news by joining the forest news release list, among other options like checking InciWeb, following on social media and using NMFireInfo.com. More […]

Resources focus day on securing La Jara Units edges and cleaning up interior pockets On the La Jara Prescribed Fire, resources continued to implement the long-term patrol and monitor plan for the La Jara unit, securing control features along the fires edge including the removal of hazardous fuels along Highway 64.  Weather conditions did not […]

Here’s the latest on the prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest. Stay Updated Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep updated with prescribed fire and other Carson National Forest news by joining the forest news release list, among other options like checking InciWeb, following on social media and using NMFireInfo.com. More information about prescribed […]

La Jara and Apache Prescribed Fire Ignitions to Continue Here’s the latest for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest: Powderhouse Prescribed Fire The prescribed fire unit is 8,288 acres and located on the western side of Valle Vidal near Costilla Dam to the north and Holman Creek to the south. It is bounded by […]

Here’s the latest for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest: Featured News The work on the La Jara and Apache project over the past two days was a critical first step in a complex wildland urban interface area, where the forest boundary meets private property, in one case where structures are just feet from […]

After nearly completing ignitions today on the 2,365-acre Sotano Prescribed Fire to the north of El Rito (Rio Arriba County), fire crews are close to wrapping up a major step on the project. They plan to finish treatment on the remaining 115 acres tomorrow, when smoke production will be minimal compared to the last two […]

Ignitions Near El Rito Began Today; More Planned Near Angel Fire Tomorrow. Fire crews are back this week with more prescribed fire treatments to reduce the threat of wildfire to communities, infrastructure and natural resources. They started this morning on the Sotano Unit near El Rito and Vallecitos in Rio Arriba County. About half of […]

A quick update on the timing of ignitions for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest. For background on these projects, including smoke information, read yesterday’s post. (Photo: The American Creek Prescribed Fire, where crews remain patrolling and monitoring.)

Locations are Near Angel Fire, Canjilon and El Rito With weather conditions continuing to offer opportunities for prescribed fire, Carson National Forest fire crews remain on track with potential projects to reduce the threat of wildfire to communities, infrastructure and natural resources: The exact day of ignitions will depend on wind, weather and fuel moisture […]

Fire crews yesterday treated 500 acres in the American Creek Prescribed Fire unit, wrapping up ignitions on the project. They remain on scene today to mop up and hold the fire, which will continue to burn fuels in the unit’s interior. Smoke may continue to be visible. With a total of 950 acres treated, fire […]

Fire crews are continuing with ignitions on the American Creek Prescribed Fire today after treating 450 acres on Wednesday. The prescribed fire is an understory burn, which mimics fire’s natural role in vegetation communities where it is frequent and low intensity. Crews apply fire broadly throughout an area under the forest canopy where grasses, leaf […]

Preparations for the American Creek Prescribed Fire Still Ongoing With ideal weather conditions continuing, Carson National Forest fire managers are tentatively continuing with prescribed fire activity this week. Crews are continuing to prepare for the American Creek Prescribed Fire, where ignitions will begin as early as Oct. 1 and are expected to last two to […]

Taking advantage of fall weather, Carson National Forest fire managers are planning to begin prescribed fire ignitions to improve forest health and resilience as early as Oct. 1. Crews plan to start with the American Creek Prescribed Fire to the west of Tres Piedras, N.M. The exact days of ignitions will depend on wind, weather […]

New Webpage Section Launched to Provide More Information Taking advantage of cooler temperatures, shorter days and recent moisture, Carson National Forest fire managers have determined which prescribed fires they will potentially move forward with in the first half of fall 2024. The exact timing of each will depend on specific wind, weather and fuel moisture […]

This will be the final regular update The Mestenas Canyon Fire is now fully surrounded by control lines. Crews on Wednesday cut handline on the fire’s northwest edge, increasing containment on the now 837-acre blaze to 65 percent. The fire’s north end remains the only uncontained area, however the control line is Forest Road 312N, […]