Town of Taos Office of Emergency Management

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06/15/2023

Carson National Forest Fire Update

Prescribed Fire Ignitions Continue South of Tres Piedras

TAOS, NM, Jun. 15, 2023—Carson National Forest fire crews began ignitions on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire south of Tres Piedras, NM, on Jun. 14 after careful consideration of forecasted weather and available resources in the area. One 25-person hotshot crew and engines, heavy equipment, hand crews, and aircraft were onsite to assist with the fire. More firefighting resources were staged nearby for quick response if needed.

Yesterday, the fire moved along the forest floor, successfully consuming ground fuels, such as grasses, dead and down trees, and needle cast in a 2,500-acre area. This low-intensity burn helps to reduce fuel loading for future wildfires and promotes forest resiliency and health. Crews will continue ignitions today while favorable weather and fire behavior conditions persist.

Maximum temperatures today will be in the mid-70s, with surface winds of 10-15 mph and afternoon gusts up to 20 mph. According to the latest National Weather Service spot forecast, isolated rain showers may occur over the fire area.

Updates for the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire will be posted on InciWeb and the forest’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter).

Type 3 Team Assumes Command of Comanche Fire

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Comanche Fire at 8 a.m. Jun. 13. With no threat to lives, homes, or infrastructure, fire managers are currently moving forward with a confine and contain strategy. This response limits firefighter exposure and allows fire to play its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem. Firefighters and public safety are the number one priority. The Comanche Fire was caused by lightning and was first detected on Jun. 8. It is located off Forest Road 137 in the El Rito Ranger District near El Rito, Abiquiu, and Canjilon communities.

Zach Behrens
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Carson National Forest
p: 575-758-6303
[email protected]
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
fs.usda.gov
USDA Logo Forest Service Twitter USDA Facebook

Caring for the land and serving people

06/13/2023

Crews Planning Prescribed Fire Ignitions South of Tres Piedras

TAOS, NM, Jun. 12, 2023—Carson National Forest fire crews are planning to move forward with the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire to the south of Tres Piedras, NM, this week. Ignitions could begin as early as Wed., Jun. 14; however, weather and on-site conditions will determine the actual first day of operations.

“We’ve been trying to find an opportunity to implement this important project all spring,” said District Ranger Angie Krall, “and the weather and conditions are lining up really nicely.”

The purpose of the 3,318-acre Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire, which is within the Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project boundaries, is to return the ponderosa forest setting to a condition that more closely resembles its natural state,
where frequent and low-intensity surface fires burn ground fuels and small trees while maintaining an open stand of larger trees. Ponderosa pine forests historically burned every five to 25 years, but after a century of aggressive fire suppression, high-grade
logging and other actions, their structure has changed and are prone to burning with higher temperatures and intensities.

The Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire footprint is partially surrounded by previously burned areas that serve as barriers to prevent rapid fire spread outside the project site. Two prescribed
fires from 2016 and 2019 border parts of the eastern and northern flanks, and the 2017 Hondito Fire lines parts of the western and northern flanks.

Struck by lightning, the Carson National Forest managed the
Hondito Fire to over 7,000 acres with goals of reducing forest fuels, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving forest and watershed health, and protecting nearby communities. While fire personnel planned for the fire to reach up to 15,000 acres, the weather stopped its spread.

The Hondito Fire is similar to the ongoing management of the 16-acre Comanche Fire, located approximately 20 miles southwest of the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire footprint. Fire crews are currently actively managing the Comanche Fire to reduce high-severity wildfires.

Updates for the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire will be posted on InciWeb and the forest’s social media channels Facebook, and Twitter).

Zach Behrens
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Carson National Forest
p: 575-758-6303
[email protected]
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
fs.usda.gov
USDA Logo Forest Service Twitter USDA Facebook

Caring for the land and serving people

06/12/2023

Comanche Fire Update

TAOS, NM, June 11, 2023— With no threat to lives, homes, or infrastructure from the Comanche Fire caused by lightning, Carson National Forest crews are currently moving forward with a confine and contain strategy. This response allows the fire to play its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem, which is a desired condition outlined in the Carson National Forest’s 2022 Land Management Plan.

“In frequent fire systems, like where the Comanche Fire is located, regular fire helps mitigate future high-severity disturbances from severe wildfires and insect outbreaks,” said District Ranger Angie Krall. “Our long-term vision for the forest is a future in which ignitions are primarily natural or planned instead of unplanned human-caused fires.”

The Comanche Fire was first detected Thursday and is 14 acres, having grown three acres since Saturday evening. Activity is light, with fire creeping along the forest floor and consuming ground fuels. It is located in the El Rito Ranger District near El Rito, Abiquiu, and Canjilon communities.

Fire crews are currently on scene monitoring the fire and checking burned areas for beneficial ecological effects. Additionally, forest staff are beginning to order more resources and equipment
and planning potential containment lines along the existing road network.

The confine and containment strategy means using tactical actions to manage the fire within a predetermined area (confine) and then using points to stop the fire’s spread (contain).

Smoke is currently minimal but visible from parts of Abiquiu, NM. An incident meteorologist and smoke monitors have been ordered. Staff are coordinating with the New Mexico Environment Department and will follow smoke management guidelines. Go to Smoke Management | New Mexico Fire Information for more about smoke and actions to take to protect your health.

Keep updated about the Comanche Fire online at
InciWeb and the Forest’s social media (Twitter, Facebook).
Public information officers will soon deploy information in physical locations in nearby communities.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Zach Behrens
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Carson National Forest
p: 575-758-6303
[email protected]
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
fs.usda.gov
USDA Logo Forest Service Twitter USDA Facebook

Caring for the land and serving people

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