Pile Burning Operations to Resume

With winter weather in the forecast, Carson National Forest fire crews are preparing to take advantage of the moisture to resume prescribed fire ignitions. They last conducted operations in November.

Fire crews are preparing to begin ignitions at two locations as early as tomorrow (Jan. 29).

Highway 150 Corridor Wildland Urban Interface Project

• Crews are targeting piles from 41 acres of thinning along the Wheeler Peak Trail (#90) between the junction with the Long Canyon Trail (#63) and Bull-of-the-Woods Meadow. The trail will remain open, but hikers should prepare for smoke and flame during their trip.
• Smoke may be visible from Taos Ski Valley but is forecasted to lift and disperse away.
• Crew members continue to patrol and monitor nearby piles burned in November, when about half of the 300-acre project was treated.
• Untreated piles along the highway’s northside may also be addressed soon. Information will become available in future updates.

Hopewell Lake Campground

• Crews are focusing on piles from 25 acres of thinning
  • The trees were infected by Tomentosus root disease, which is naturally occurring but can create hazard tree conditions for visitors to recreation facilities.
  • Visitors used larger diameter wood for campfires and the remaining slash are in this week’s targeted piles.

More Project Locations

Fire managers are looking into other potential projects as early as next Monday. More details will be released in updates later this week.

Stay Updated

The public is encouraged to sign up for the forest’s email list, which includes prescribed fire updates. Sign up at https://fs.usda.gov/goto/KeepInTouch.

Information will also be available on:

• InciWeb (Hopewell Lake, Highway 150)
• Social Media (Facebook, X)
• New Mexico Fire Information