Lincoln National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn between January 31 – February 14, 2025, on the Sacramento Ranger District.

Lincoln National Forest plans prescribed fire in 16 Springs project area

Hazardous fuels reduction part of Lincoln National Forest land management plan

ALAMOGORDO, NM, Jan. 29, 2025 - The Lincoln National Forest is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Sacramento Ranger District beginning Jan. 31, through Feb.14, 2025, depending on weather and ground conditions.

Fire managers will continue to focus on 400 acres within the 16 Springs project area, a long-term forest management project on the Sacramento Ranger District. The project is centered on hazardous fuels reduction work on the landscape, including prescribed fire, mastication, and timber removal, for long-term forest health and wildfire risk mitigation in the area.

Firefighters will be staffing and patrolling the prescribed fire area after operations cease, and signs will be posted alerting the public to the project area.

Exact ignition dates and scope of work depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions outlined in Lincoln National Forest's prescribed fire plan. These plans can be postponed or cancelled on short notice due to developing conditions at the burn site. Updates will be provided on the Lincoln National Forest's Facebook page and the New Mexico Fire Info website.

During and after operations, smoke may be visible in the 16 Springs area, Mayhill, Cloudcroft, and Hope, New Mexico. Following completion, crews will continue to monitor for hot spots, as well as regrowth and overall forest health in the project area.

The Lincoln National Forest's land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape.

For updates and information, please visit the Lincoln National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln.