Smoke Safety
Smoke from local or faraway fires can impact Carson National Forest lands and local communites. No matter where it's from, it's important to have the right tools to protect your health and enjoyment of your visit.
Smoke-Ready Tips
Taking care of your health is important as smoke can affect everyone’s health. Preparing for smoke can help in all scenarios, whether it arrives abruptly due to a wildfire or as planned during a prescribed fire. Here are some tips:
Personal Actions
- Stay in the loop: Sign up for forest email updates for major wildfire news, advanced notice for prescribed fires, and other news.
- Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Close your windows, including overnight, when smoke can worsen.
- Take care of your health: Reduce physical activity when smoke is present.
- Have a Backup Plan: Be willing to change plans to avoid smoke.
- Monitor: Use the Fire and Smoke Map to monitor the air quality and take specific actions. An air quality specialist may install a temporary air monitor near some prescribed fires.
Air Filters
- Buy: Consider upgrading your central air system filter or use high efficiency portable air cleaners. Use this wildland fire fact sheet for guidance.
- DIY: Do it yourself and make an air cleaner using a box fan and filters.
- Borrow: A limited number of portable air purifiers with HEPA filters, donated by the Forest Stewards Guild, are available for loan during prescribed fires on the Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras ranger districts. Contact information is provided upon announcement of prescribed fires .
Learn more about becoming smoke-ready with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Smoke from Prescribed Fires
Unlike large wildfires, prescribed fires are short-term in duration and planned with advance notice. Staff coordinate with the N.M. Environment Department to conduct ignitions on days when smoke impacts are minimized.
Nonetheless, smoke will be present and may settle in some local or farther out areas in the evenings and overnight.
The Big Picture
In 2023, the Forest Service signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the EPA and CDC to protect communities from the impacts of wildfire smoke, while promoting land management practices, like prescribed fire, that reduce the risk of large, severe fires. Read the MOU and work plan.