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May 4, 2026                                                                                                                    

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative Wildfire Mitigation & Projects Report Update: May 4, 2026

TAOS, NM — Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) is continuing an aggressive, system-wide response to escalating wildfire risk conditions across Northern New Mexico, while simultaneously advancing major infrastructure upgrades and long-term energy resilience projects throughout its service territory.

Warm temperatures and persistent high winds have created extremely volatile fire conditions across the region. Statewide fire restrictions remain firmly in place, prohibiting open burning, campfires, fireworks, smoking, and other ignition sources on non-federal and non-tribal lands. These conditions, combined with heavy fuel loads, continue to elevate the risk of fast-moving and destructive wildfires.

KCEC is actively monitoring wildfire activity in Colfax County and remains in close coordination with emergency management partners to ensure system reliability, situational awareness, and rapid response where needed.

"KCEC is taking a people-first approach as we respond to these dangerous conditions," said Luis A. Reyes, CEO of KCEC. "We are deeply aware that many of our members, including elderly residents and those who rely on life-sustaining medical devices, depend on us every day. That responsibility drives the work our crews are doing in the field right now. We are committed not only to reducing immediate wildfire risk, but also to investing in long-term solutions that ensure reliable, resilient power for all of our communities."

KCEC crews are actively deployed across key circuits, conducting targeted maintenance, system upgrades, and wildfire mitigation work:

• Twining Circuit (El Prado Area):
  Crews are nearing completion of critical upgrades to the three-phase line, significantly improving system reliability in this high-risk, high-elevation corridor. Work will soon transition to inspecting and strengthening tap lines to further reduce vulnerability.
• REA Circuit:
  Comprehensive pole-to-pole inspections are underway, including verification of switches, structural integrity assessments, and identification of potential hazards. 
• Taos Canyon:
  KCEC crews made significant progress in Taos Canyon on April 23, 2026, completing critical maintenance along key sections of the line. Work included replacing cross arms and performing targeted system upgrades. KCEC will continue wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements with a planned outage scheduled throughout the month. Work will include system hardening, equipment replacement, and addressing vulnerabilities identified through prior inspections and drone assessments.
   

These coordinated efforts are part of KCEC's broader wildfire mitigation strategy focused on vegetation management, system reinforcement, and proactive maintenance in high-risk zones.

KCEC continues to advance transformative energy infrastructure projects designed to strengthen grid resilience during extreme conditions, including wildfires and prolonged outages. Progress remains steady on the Questa Hydrogen Energy Storage Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region that will provide dispatchable, long-duration backup power. This system is designed to ensure critical energy availability during outages, emergency events, and wildfire-related disruptions, representing a significant step forward in advancing energy independence and grid flexibility across Northern New Mexico.

At the same time, microgrid development projects in Taos Ski Valley, Peñasco, and El Rito West remain on track and are expected to play a critical role in enhancing localized resilience. These systems, which integrate battery storage and distributed energy resources, are designed to maintain power to critical facilities and communities during outages and grid disruptions. Construction timelines remain aligned with upcoming milestones as KCEC prepares to move into implementation phases this summer.

KCEC is also working in partnership with Firescape to develop a forward-facing, continuously updated platform on its website that will provide members with real-time information on wildfire conditions, planned and unplanned outages, active field operations, and public safety notifications. This platform is intended to significantly enhance situational awareness across the cooperative's service territory and enable members to make informed decisions during rapidly changing and high-risk conditions. Below are potential alerts KCEC members will be be able to view on the website: 

KCEC remains committed to transparency, proactive communication, and coordinated response efforts as wildfire risk continues to intensify across the region. Members are strongly encouraged to follow all state and local fire restrictions, stay informed through official KCEC communication channels, and prepare for the possibility of outages during high-risk periods. The cooperative will continue providing regular updates as wildfire conditions evolve and infrastructure work progresses, reinforcing its commitment to protecting communities and maintaining reliable service across Northern New Mexico.

For more information, visit www.kitcarson.com

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About Kit Carson Electric Cooperative 

Formed in 1944, Kit Carson is a member owned electric distribution cooperative in northern New Mexico and is the second largest cooperative in the state. Kit Carson is one of 16 electric cooperatives that serve rural New Mexico communities, serving nearly 30,000 members in Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties. To learn more about Kit Carson, visit www.kitcarson.com.