Lincoln Forest to Begin Prescribed Burns Nov 10
Planned ignitions on two ranger districts will bring possible smoke to several southern New Mexico communities over the coming weeks.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Safety
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Lincoln National Forest plans prescribed burns on its Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger districts, with Baca Prescribed Burn Project ignitions possibly beginning November 10, 2026. Sacramento District ignitions are planned for November 11 through 21, weather permitting.
Why it matters
Prescribed fires reduce hazardous fuels and help protect nearby communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from large, high-severity wildfires. Residents across New Mexico should expect possible smoke while the burns are carried out.
The planned burns cover four units totaling 70 acres, including 24 acres for the Baca Broadcast Burn north of Lincoln and 24 acres for the Black Bear Campground Piles burn off HWY 130. Final ignition timing remains undetermined because it depends on weather and fuel moisture conditions.
The players
Lincoln National Forest
A national forest in south-central New Mexico managed by the U.S. Forest Service, known for its mountain terrain and wildfire-management programs.
U.S. Forest Service
The federal agency that manages the nation's national forests and grasslands, including prescribed fire programs aimed at reducing wildfire risk.
The details
Certified fire personnel will conduct the prescribed fires, timed for best smoke management, with firefighters remaining on scene throughout ignitions and patrolling afterward. No closures are associated with the planned activities, but residents may notice smoke in Capitan, Lincoln, Cloudcroft, Penasco Canyon, Pierce Canyon, and Silver Springs.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Baca Prescribed Burn Project ignitions on the Smokey Bear Ranger District could begin.
November 11-21, 2026: Ignitions on the Sacramento Ranger District are planned, as conditions allow.
Seasonal Patterns
The Lincoln National Forest burns extend the U.S. Forest Service's ongoing hazardous-fuels reduction program, which uses cool-season prescribed fire to lower wildfire risk in New Mexico's mountain forests. The November timing places the work in the same cool-season window used across the region to limit fire spread and smoke impacts.
Residents in Capitan, Lincoln, Cloudcroft, Penasco Canyon, Pierce Canyon, and Silver Springs may experience smoke during the burns. Do not report the fires, as they are planned and conducted by certified personnel.
The takeaway
Planned burns are a deliberate way to reduce the chance of severe wildfire in New Mexico's forests. Residents near the burn areas can plan for temporary smoke and watch local conditions as ignitions proceed.
What happens next
Ignitions on the Smokey Bear Ranger District could begin November 10, 2026, followed by Sacramento District ignitions from November 11 through 21, 2026, depending on conditions.
Further reading
For more on keeping safe during fire season, see the Safety section.
More information
Check current air quality information during smoke if you are sensitive to smoke in the affected areas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTSM 9 News.
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