Pile Burning Updates

This page will hold daily summaries of any winter pile burning ignitions. View the full list of potential locations. Contact the public information officer listed below for any questions.

Dec. 18

No pile burning is scheduled for the rest of 2025. Work is expected to restart in January 2026.

Dec. 8

No pile burning is currently scheduled.

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Dec. 3

Fire crews conducted pile burning in three different locations today:

• Along Highway 150
• East of Hopewell Lake
• Along Forest Road 137, southwest of El Rito (Rio Arriba County)

All piles were completed along Forest Road 137, representing 108 acres of thining. Piles remain in the other two projects areas and will be addressed in the future.

No ignitions are planned for Dec. 4.

Dec. 2

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Crews began pile burning along Highway 150 near Taos Ski Valley, completing 49 acres. More ignitions are planned for Dec. 3, when pile burning near Hopewell Lake and Forest Road 137 (near El Rito in Rio Arriba County) is also planned.

Dec. 1

Crews are preparing to begin pile burning across the forest this week:

• Dec. 2: Highway 150 and Wheeler Peak Trail
• Dec. 3: Hopewell Lake and Forest Road 137 (Near El Rito in Rio Arriba County)

Nov. 30

No pile burning is scheduled for Dec. 1. Crews will evaluate conditions for potential ignitions beginning Dec. 2 near Taos Ski Valley and Hopewell Lake.

Nov. 24

Fire crews are planning to begin pile burning ignitons as early as Dec. 1 near Taos Ski Valley and Hopewell Lake. This page will be updated when plans are confirmed.