Skip to main content
Print Icon
T
T
T

  • Current Prescribed Fire Updates

    As prescribed fire is implemented on the Lincoln National Forest this alert page will be updated to share current conditions, planned work or postponed burns.

    Little Eagle Prescribed Pile Burn - 45 acres Completed

    October 23, 2026 - Press Release for Planned Prescribed Fires on the Lincoln National Forest

    Little Eagle Piles RX Location map

    2026 Little Eagle Piles RX Location map

    (USDA Forest Service Photo)
    Image
    Firefighters stand around a lone test fire in the woods will additional debris piles around.

    Successful test ignitions for the Little Eagle Prescribed Pile Burn leads to crews continuing with ignitions as of October 26, 2026 at 11:00AM. 

    (Forest Service)

    October 27, 2026 11:00 AM - Weekend moisture has caused a change in prescribed fire plans for this week. Access to the Skinner Prescribed Pile Burn is still being evaluated due to muddy conditions, which has moved the Little Eagle Pile Burn to the top of the schedule.

     With the successful test ignition of the Little Eagle Piles this morning, crews will continue on targeted piles working slow and steady throughout today. Smoke will likely remain visible throughout today and into the evening. As work progresses we will continue to provide updates.
     
    Remember, if you are driving and encounter smoke slow your vehicle, turn on your headlights, and watch for others. For more information on air quality check out https://fire.airnow.gov/.
     
    Stay informed by following our Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
    ash circles are on the ground as a firefighter in yellow nomex checks for heat.

    Little Eagle Piles as of October 27, 2026 at 4:00PM. Each burned pile is checked by hand for remaining heat during mop-up operations.

    (Forest Service)
    October 27, 2026 4:15PM- The Smokey Bear Ranger District has finished ignitions for today on the Little
     Eagle Pile Burn, successfully reducing hazardous fuels across 15 acres.
     
    Fire crews will continue to hold and secure each pile to ensure everything burns safely within its footprint. It is expected that you may still see smoke this evening, and small glows overnight if you are near the area.
     
    Ignitions for the Little Eagle Piles will continue tomorrow if conditions allow.
     
    Stay informed by following our Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
    October 28, 2026 11:30AM - Crews had another successful test ignition of the Little Eagle Piles this morning, they will continue on targeted piles working slow and steady throughout today. 
     
    Smoke will likely remain visible throughout today and into the evening. As work progresses we will continue to provide updates.
     
    Remember, if you are driving and encounter smoke slow your vehicle, turn on your headlights, and watch for others. For more information on air quality check out https://fire.airnow.gov/.
     
    Stay informed by following our Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
    Smoke coming from mountains

    Smoke from the Little Eagle Pile Burn. 

    (Forest Service)
     
    October 28, 2026 11:30AM - The Smokey Bear Ranger District has finished ignitions for today on the Little Eagle Pile Burn, successfully reducing hazardous fuels across an additional 20 acres.
     
    Image
    burned circles in the forest.

    Little Eagle Piles as of October 29, 2026.

    (Forest Service photo)
    This evening, fire crews will continue to hold and secure each pile to ensure everything burns safely within its footprint. It is expected that you may still see smoke this evening, and small glows overnight if you are near the prescribed burn.
     
    Our crews will remain in the area over the next few days conducting mop-up operations to extinguish any remaining heat.
     
    October 29, 2026 5:15 PM - Today, crews spent the day conducting mop-up operations across more than 30 acres of completed hazardous fuels treatments within the Little Eagle Project area.
     
    This work hand checks each pile for remaining heat and extinguishes it using fire tools, water and dirt to do as Smokey teaches, drown-stir-feel-repeat!
     
    The crews made great progress today and noted that considerable precipitation was falling on the project area this afternoon. This moisture is just what we wanted and aids in our mop-up work.
     

    Skinner Prescribed Pile Burn - 115 Acres - (POSTPONED)

    October 8, 2026 - Press Release for Planned Prescribed Fires on the Lincoln National Forest

    (Alamogordo, NM, October 08, 2026) — The Lincoln National Forest is planning prescribed pile burns on the Smokey Bear Ranger District this October. Forest Service officials estimate that work could begin as early as October 13, 2026. The first project would be the Smokey Bear Ranger District Administrative Pile Burn on Tuesday, followed by the Skinner Block 2 project on October 14, 2026. Additional implementation may continue through the end of October, as conditions allow. Certified prescribed fire special

    Skinner Unit 2 Prescribed Pile Burn Project Map

    (Forest Service)
    October 13, 2026 4:40 PM - The Skinner Planned Prescribed Pile Burn has been postponed due to forecasted windy conditions tomorrow October 14, 2026.
     
    Our crews have been closely monitoring forecasts in preparation for this week’s operations, as evaluating weather is a standard part of every prescribed burn. When conditions are not appropriate for burning, we postpone ignitions, as we did here.
     
    We remain committed to reducing hazardous fuels and will continue to look for future opportunities to safely carry out this project. Updates will be shared here and, on our website, as new burn windows become available. Please follow us for the latest information.
     
    Stay informed by following our Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
     
    October 27, 2026 11:00AM - Due to moisture over the weekend muddy conditions have limited access into the Skinner Prescribed Pile Burn area. Based on this information fire personnel have switched tactics and have begun operations on the Little Eagle Pile area. 

    16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn - 153 acres - Postponed Friday Oct 30. Oct 31 ignitions may continue. 

    blue polygons represent the planned prescribed burn area set on a green background that highlight topographic lines and geographical locations.

    16 Springs Crooked planned prescribed burn location map. 

    (Forest Service)
    Image
    a pile of large wood burns with green grass all around and fire truck in the background

    Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn test ignition was successful and continued ignitions will be carried out throughout today September 22, 2026.

    (Forest Service)
    September 22, 2026 10:00 A.M. - The Sacramento Ranger District Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn had a successful test ignition this morning.
     
    Ignitions will continue on targeted piles with crews working slow and steady this afternoon. We plan on treating a bite sized piece out of the 153 acre area. This ensures we are successfully implementing prescribed fire on the Forest and near rural homes. Smoke will likely remain visible throughout today and into the evening. Precipitation is forecasted later in the day and may postpone operations. As conditions change we will provide further updates.  
     
    Remember, if you are driving and encounter smoke slow your vehicle, turn on your headlights, and watch for others. For more information on air quality check out https://fire.airnow.gov/.
     
    Stay informed by following our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
    September 22, 2026 5:30 PM. - 
    The Sacramento Ranger District has finished ignitions for today on the Crooked Pile Burn, successfully reducing hazardous fuels across 10 acres.
     
    Fire crews will continue to hold and secure each pile to ensure everything burns safely within its footprint. It is expected that you may still see smoke this evening, and small glows overnight. Firefighters will remain in the area over the next few days to mop up and put out any remaining heat. Additional burning will be dependent upon weather conditions. We will be sure to update as we move forward with operations. 
     
    Stay updated by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
    a black circle on the ground indicated what remains of a debris pile burned.

    Crooked piles consumed well today, September 22, 2026, with only small remaining smokes prior to this weeks forecasted storms. 

    (Forest Service)
    September 28, 2026 10:00 AM - The Crooked Pile Burn received nearly 4 inches of moisture last week and is looking excellent. This moisture has aided our crews during mop-up operations, assisting with reducing any remaining heat. Our crews will continue to visit and be in the area over the next few days.
     
    Until our next update check out these project progression photos of the Crooked area! This hazardous fuels reduction on Forest lands near rural communities and homes is showing strong signs of resilience. 
     
    Stay updated by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest 
     
    Lots of trees

    Crooked Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Area prior to thinning in 2024. 

    (Forest Service)
    pile of debris in the Forest.

    Crooked Hazardous Fuels Reduction area post thinning project 2025. 

    (Forest Service)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    forest road with forest behind and piles of debris on fire.

    Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn in progress 2026. 

    (Forest Service)
    black circle on forest floor displaying burnt pile of debris.

    Crooked post prescribed pile burning 2026. 

    (Forest Service)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Stay updated by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest

    October 28, 2026 - Press Release for Planned Prescribed Fires on the Lincoln National Forest

    October 29, 2026 5:00PM - The Crooked Planned Prescribed Pile Burn has been postponed due to forecasted rainy conditions tomorrow October 30, 2026. Conditions for Saturday, October 31, 2026 remain optimal as a burn window and ignitions remain scheduled.

    Our crews have been closely monitoring forecasts in preparation for this week’s operations, as evaluating weather is a standard part of every prescribed burn. When conditions are not appropriate for burning, we postpone ignitions, as we did here.
     
    We remain committed to reducing hazardous fuels and will continue to look for future opportunities to safely carry out this project. Updates will be shared here and, on our website, as burn windows can change. Please follow us for the latest information.
     
    Stay updated by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest
     
    October 31, 2026 10:30AM - The 16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn had a successful test ignition this morning, crews will continue on targeted piles working slow and steady throughout today. Smoke will likely remain visible throughout today and into the evening. As work progresses we will continue to provide updates.
    Remember, if you are driving and encounter smoke slow your vehicle, turn on your headlights, and watch for others. For more information on air quality check out https://fire.airnow.gov/.
     
    Stay updated by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest
    pile of trees on fire

    16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn as of October 31, 2026 at 10:30 AM.

    (Forest Service Photo)

    October 31, 2026 5:30PM - The Sacramento Ranger District has finished ignitions for today on the 16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Pile Burn, successfully reducing hazardous fuels across an additional 143 acres.

    This evening, fire crews continued to hold and secure each pile to ensure everything burns safely within its footprint. It is expected that you may still see smoke this evening, and small glows overnight if you are near the prescribed burn.
     
    Our crews will remain in the area over the next few days conducting mop-up operations to extinguish any remaining heat.
    Image
    Forest with smoking debris piles

    After: 16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Burn October 31, 2026.

    (Forest Service photo)
    Image
    Forest with piles of debris

    Before: 16 Springs Crooked Prescribed Burn October 31, 2026.

    (Forest Service Photo)

    Completed Projects

    • Smokey Bear Admin Prescribed Pile Burn - 2 Acres - Completed
    • Ruidoso Lookout Tower Prescribed Pile Burn - 5 Acres - Completed

     

Alert Start Date: September 21, 2026

Alert End Date: N/A

Contact Information

Contact Name: Lincoln National Forest

Contact Number: 575-434-7200

Contact Email: SM.FSPAO.LNF@usda.gov

Last updated October 31, 2026

Return to top