Single Publication

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 the actual first day of operations will be determined by weather and on-site conditions. 

“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 ongoing management of the 16-acre Comanche Fire, which is located approximately 20 miles to the 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, Twitter).