Lincoln National Forest Advances Post-Fire Recovery with 2026 Reforestation Projects
September 14, 2026 (RUIDOSO, NM) — The Lincoln National Forest has completed its 2026 reforestation season, marking an important step in the long-term recovery of areas affected by the Blue 2 and South Fork fires.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, crews planted more than 40,500 seedlings within the Blue 2 Fire scar during the 2026 season, along with approximately 250 additional seedlings in affected campgrounds. Favorable monsoonal moisture provided measurable rainfall across all planting areas, creating beneficial soil conditions for newly planted trees.
This year’s work also introduced several planting strategies designed to improve seedling survival and help guide future restoration efforts. These include nucleus planting, microsite selection, shelterwood methods, and the use of tree shelters.
Forest specialists worked with state partners and private organizations to evaluate previous planting results, successful restoration efforts elsewhere in the Southwest, and current best management practices. Planting locations were selected with an emphasis on giving seedlings the strongest opportunity for long-term survival.
The Forest Service will monitor seedling survival and evaluate the effectiveness of the different planting techniques over the next five years. Findings from that work are expected to help shape future reforestation strategies across the Lincoln National Forest.
What’s Next for the Blue 2 and South Fork Fire Areas
Planning is already underway for the 2027 planting season, with additional reforestation work scheduled within the Blue 2 Fire scar.
Within the South Fork Fire scar, the Lincoln National Forest will continue fuel-reduction projects to prepare the landscape for future planting. Reforestation within the South Fork Fire scar is currently planned for the 2028 planting season.
The ongoing work is part of a long-term effort to restore fire-affected landscapes and strengthen forest resilience for future generations.
Learn More
Residents can follow post-fire recovery and reforestation work directly through the Lincoln National Forest.
Lincoln National Forest – Post-Fire Recovery:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/management/landmanagementplanning/post-fire-recovery
Source: U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest
