Forest Service News Release Earl Hidayetoglu 505-901-3454 earl.hidayetoglu@usda.gov fs.usda.gov/carson Highway 150 Piles Burn Taos, N.M., November 14, 2024—Fire crews began ignitions on the Highway 150 Piles Prescribed Fire today. Here’s the latest: • Fire crews completed 88 of 300 treated acres in the Highway 150 Piles project area, mostly on the southside of New Mexico Highway 150. • Crews will take advantage of the good ventilation window tomorrow, November 16, to continue treating remaining piles on the southside of Highway 150. • Trails along Highway 150 remain open, but hikers should exercise caution and expect some smoke. • It took a team to make today happen. Fire managers would like to thank staff from across the Forest, including Taos Ski Valley Fire Department, Red River Fire Chasers, the Carson Hotshots and West Zone fire resources for their efforts in today’s success. Project Background Today’s work is part of the Highway 150 Corridor Wildland Urban Interface Project. Local organizations in 2014 came together to form the Taos Valley Watershed Coalition, which named the highway corridor as one of its priorities for protecting the forest and watershed that communities depend on. The piles were made from thinning along length of Highway 150 within Carson National Forest, between Valdez to above the Village of Taos Ski Valley along the Wheeler Peak Trail. More information about the project is available at fs.usda.gov/goto/Hwy150Project. Today’s burn occurred in the Enchanted Circle Wildfire Crisis Landscape, an area recognized by Congress as a national priority given its ecological and cultural importance. Smoke Fire managers work with the New Mexico Environment Department to conduct ignitions on days when smoke impacts will be limited. Nonetheless, smoke will be present and will impact nearby areas, especially in the afternoons and evenings. Smoke readiness tips are available at fs.usda.gov/goto/CarsonRxSmoke. ###