Lincoln National Forest Prescribed Fire Operations Underway and Planned for Winter 2026
Ruidoso, NM (January 23, 2026) — Lincoln National Forest is preparing for prescribed fire operations across the Forest this winter, pending required approvals and favorable weather conditions. These carefully planned burns are an important tool for reducing hazardous fuels, improving forest health, and lowering the risk of severe wildfires that can threaten nearby communities.
Slide Campground Prescribed Pile Burn in its ignitions phase. USDA Forest Service Photo by Mitch Manford.
Conducting prescribed burns during the off-season allows fire crews to complete this work more safely while minimizing impacts to recreation and day-to-day community activities.
“Our team is committed to reducing hazardous fuels across the Forest, while also carefully planning and following proper protocols. We are looking for appropriate weather conditions to implement under. When we have good weather windows, the team is ready to get to work.” — Caleb Finch, Fire Management Officer
When and Where
Planned Prescribed Burns — Smokey Bear Ranger District
Pending final approvals and suitable weather conditions, the following prescribed pile burn projects are planned within the Smokey Bear Ranger District in late January:
1.Ruidoso Lookout Tower Piles
Location: Ruidoso Lookout Tower
Treatment: Prescribed pile burn
Dates: January 27–30, 2026
Acres: 10
2. McBride Prescribed Pile Burn
Location: McBride Fire Scar near Ruidoso High School
Treatment: Prescribed pile burn
Dates: January 27–30, 2026
Acres: 10
3. Little Eagle Prescribed Pile Burn
Location: Villa Madonna area
Treatment: Prescribed pile burn
Dates: January 27–30, 2026
Acres: 45
Total planned treatment area within the Smokey Bear Ranger District: 65 acres
Exact ignition dates may shift based on weather, wind, fuel moisture, and final approvals to ensure safe and effective operations. Some smoke may be visible in nearby communities during active burn periods.
A regularly updated list of planned, in-progress, and completed prescribed fire projects is available on the Lincoln National Forest fire webpage.
Types of Prescribed Fire
Forest managers use two primary prescribed fire methods:
Broadcast burning – controlled fire applied across larger landscape areas
Pile burning – ignition of small, concentrated piles of vegetation created during thinning projects
Together, these treatments help create healthier, more resilient forests and reduce wildfire risk to surrounding communities.
Be Smoke Ready
Although prescribed fires are short-term and carefully planned, smoke may still be present and can settle in local areas—especially during evening and overnight hours.
For current air quality conditions and smoke forecasts, residents are encouraged to visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/
What Has Already Been Accomplished
Over the past four months, Lincoln National Forest fire crews have treated approximately 1,010 acres using a combination of broadcast burning and pile burning. These efforts are already delivering measurable benefits for forest health and community resilience.
Smokey Bear Ranger District (near Ruidoso)
Fire crew member begins test ignitions on Smokey Bear Ranger District Prescribed Pile Burn. USDA Forest Service Photo by Jorden Scott.
In early October, crews completed the Smokey Bear Administrative Prescribed Pile Burn, treating approximately 22 acres of accumulated hazardous fuels adjacent to the community of Ruidoso.
Years of coordinated thinning and prescribed fire in and around this area have created a wildfire-resilient zone, reducing the risk of severe fire, improving wildlife habitat, and protecting nearby neighborhoods. This treated landscape—along with work in Lower Cedar Creek—proved critical during the South Fork Fire, where fire behavior slowed and ultimately stopped, demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term forest management.
16 Springs Area
Crews made significant progress in the 16 Springs Prescribed Burn, successfully treating 882 acres adjacent to the communities of Mayhill, 16 Springs, Board Tree, and Walker Canyon. Additional pile burning at James Ridge treated 81 acres in early October. This landscape remains a priority area for ongoing annual prescribed fire treatments.
Slide Campground (near Cloudcroft)
With the arrival of early snowfall, crews completed the Slide Campground Prescribed Pile Burn, treating 20 acres of hazardous fuels. Snow provided ideal conditions for safe containment. The project reduced wildfire risk at a popular recreation site while minimizing visitor impacts during the winter closure and strengthened protection for the nearby communities of Cloudcroft and Silver Cloud.
The Village of Ruidoso will continue to share updates as information becomes available and encourages residents to remain informed during prescribed fire operations this winter.
