TAOS, NM — The Tres Piedras Ranger District on the Carson National Forest plan to conduct the Bighorn/Stateline prescribed burn if condition allow from October 15 and November 15.  Implementation of this project will only occur when weather, fuel moisture, and smoke dispersal conditions are within the defined prescription parameters.

The Bighorn/Stateline broadcast burn is located 23 miles north of the Tres Piedras Ranger District, north of Forest Road 75 along the Colorado border.  The burn unit will encompass approximately 1,628 acres total: 408 of those acres are on the Carson National Forest and the remainder 1,220 are located on the Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado. 

The objective of this burn is to maintain and restore open forested stands, by reducing forest densities, improving wildlife habitat diversity, and revitalizing meadows and aspen groves.  The goal is to remove some small trees while preserving the healthiest, fire-resistant species, such as ponderosa pine.

Smoke may be visible from the communities of Tres Piedras, Questa, Des Montes, Arroyo Seco, Taos, Antonito and Alamosa. Smoke may also impact Highway 64 Highway 285, Highway 68, and Highway 522.

Prescribed fires aare one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau regulations are met. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information about the prescribed burn, contact the Tres Piedras Ranger District at 575-758-8678.