Prescribed burns planned near El Rito and Tres Piedras

Smoke may be visible around Taos County in coming months as the Carson National Forest takes advantage of favorable weather conditions to ignite prescribed burns near El Rito and Tres Piedras from Oct. 11 through Dec. 2.

Two burns are planned in the area: The Ensenada broadcast burn, which will treat 1,243 acres near El Rito, and the Tio Gordito, which will treat 3,319 acres.

“The decision to implement a specific prescribed burn depends on multiple conditions, including the national wildland fire preparedness level, resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, ventilation, and forecasted weather. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fire managers consider smoke impacts to communities before making a final decision to implement a prescribed fire. Careful planning and implementation actions are exercised to reduce smoke impacts to communities and roadways as much as foreseeably possible.”

Smoke may be visible around Taos, Questa, Tres Piedras, Canon Plaza, La Madera, Las Tablas, Petaca, Carson, Antonito, Alamosa, Abiquiú and El Rito.

People with respiratory conditions or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health website at