November 6, 2026 (RUIDOSO, NM) — The USDA Forest Service has announced plans to conduct prescribed burning operations in the Lincoln National Forest beginning as early as November 10, 2026. The planned activities will take place in the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts, depending on weather and fuel moisture conditions.
Prescribed fires are carefully planned and conducted by qualified fire personnel to reduce hazardous vegetation, improve forest health, and help protect surrounding communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from severe wildfires.
Planned Burn Locations and Dates
Smokey Bear Ranger District
Baca Prescribed Burn
Earliest anticipated ignition: November 10, 2026
Location: North of Lincoln and west of Baca Campground
Treatment area: 24 acres
Activity: Broadcast burning
Sacramento Ranger District
Prescribed pile-burning operations are planned for November 11–21, 2026, as conditions allow.
Black Bear Campground Piles
Location: Off Highway 130 near Sleepy Grass and Aspen Campgrounds
Treatment area: 24 acres
Upper Karr Campground Piles
Location: Along the Sunspot Scenic Byway
Treatment area: 11 acres
Wofford Piles
Location: Off Highway 244 near Wofford Lookout
Treatment area: 11 acres
The four projects encompass approximately 70 acres of planned treatment areas.
Smoke and Air Quality Information
Smoke may be visible during prescribed burning operations, particularly in the communities of Capitan, Lincoln, Cloudcroft, Penasco Canyon, Pierce Canyon, and Silver Springs.
The Forest Service coordinates with air quality specialists and monitors smoke conditions throughout prescribed fire operations.
Residents and visitors can check current smoke and air quality conditions using the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
Public Safety and Travel Information
The Forest Service reports that no closures are currently associated with these planned prescribed fires. However, residents and visitors traveling near treatment areas should remain alert for firefighting personnel and equipment.
Motorists encountering smoke are advised to:
Reduce speed when visibility is limited.
Turn on headlights.
Use hazard lights in areas of heavy smoke to improve visibility to other drivers.
The Forest Service advises that these planned fires do not need to be reported as wildfires, as firefighters will remain on-site during ignition operations and conduct patrols afterward.
If you encounter a fire or smoke that appears unrelated to announced prescribed burning operations, or observe an immediate threat to public safety, contact the appropriate emergency authorities.
Operations Depend on Weather Conditions
Prescribed burning will proceed only when weather, fuel moisture, and other operational conditions meet established requirements.
The Forest Service will evaluate conditions before ignition and may postpone or cancel activities if conditions are unfavorable.
Residents should consult official Forest Service communications for the latest operational information.
Stay Informed
For current prescribed fire updates and additional information, visit:
Lincoln National Forest:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln
Lincoln National Forest Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map:
https://fire.airnow.gov/
Source: USDA Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest, November 6, 2026.
