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Nov. 2, 2023—After consulting with meteorologists, fire managers are tentatively planning to implement a prescribed fire north of El Rito, N.M., as early as Tuesday, Nov. 7. Called the Alamosa Unit 1 Prescribed Fire, crews will treat up to 4,500 acres bound by Forest Roads 44, 44K and 725 and just west of the village of Vallecitos. 

Ignitions will produce smoke but much less is expected than when fire crews treated the same unit with prescribed fire in 2014. At that time, crews implemented an initial entry prescribed fire, which means fire had not been through the area in a very long time, resulting in denser fuels and thicker smoke. Nine years later, this will be a maintenance prescribed fire, in which fewer fuels will be burned. 

“Promoting healthier forests and reducing the risks of wildfire is the ultimate goal of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy,” said District Ranger Angie Krall. “Just like we saw with the Midnight Fire, if a future wildfire reaches an area with recent fire history, it’s behavior will likely be modified to a less intense, more manageable surface fire making it safer for firefighters to engage.” 

Midnight Fire 

Firefighters on the 2022 Midnight Fire saw its behavior change from severe to light in a manner of minutes when it entered an area that was previously thinned, pile burned and burned during a lightning-caused wildfire that crews managed so it could play its natural role in the ecosystem. 

“It went from 100- to 300-foot flames to 2- to 3-foot flames in a matter of minutes just because of the fuel treatments there,” said firefighter Chris Farrar in a short documentary about the Midnight Fire. 

The Midnight Fire burn area is just east of Alamosa Unit 1. 

Sustainable Rangelands 

In addition to preserving general forest health and a reduced wildfire risk, the Alamosa Unit 1 Prescribed Fire will also serve to maintain sustainable rangelands. The unit is part of the larger Jarita Mesa and Alamosa Grazing Allotments Project, which allows livestock grazing in a manner that balances it with Carson National Forest’s goals for rangeland vegetation, soil, watershed and wildlife habitat. 

More broadly, the Carson National Forest seeks to maintain sustainable rangelands so that they provide forage for livestock grazing opportunities that contribute to agricultural businesses, local employment and livelihoods, as well as generational ties to the land. 

Prescribed Fire Logistics 

Fire managers will continue to consult with meteorologists for the Alamosa Unit 1 Prescribed Fire. Resource orders for fire crews, a helicopter and dozer are being submitted. If weather and conditions adversely change, ignitions will be postponed. 

El Rito Ranger Station staff have a limited number of portable HEPA air purifiers neighbors can check out. Call (575) 581-4554 for availability.