News Release

El Malpais National Monument Planning Prescribed Fire in May

Date: May 10, 2024

Grants, NM – The National Park Service is preparing to conduct a prescribed fire on the north side of El Malpais National Monument which is tentatively scheduled to occur in late May and early June 2024. The El Calderon Triangle prescribed fire will treat approximately 1500 acres of NPS lands adjacent to Highway 53 between mile markers 66 and 63. Exact dates and times will be determined based on weather and fuel conditions. Fire managers expect the prescribed fire will take two to five days to complete.

The primary objective of this prescribed fire is to improve Ponderosa Pine and Pinyon-juniper ecosystems by reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire. Fire plays a natural role at El Malpais and helps ensure the resiliency of this fire dependent ecosystem. 

The Continental Divide Trail from Emergency Operations Center to the El Calderon parking area (mile marker 497 to 500) will be closed during prescribed fire operations; detour signs will be posted on the trail to bypass the fire area. Additionally, parts of the El Calderon Loop Trail will be closed. If conditions warrant, Highway 53 may be reduced to one lane traffic to provide for firefighter safety. Traffic restrictions will be determined based on conditions on the days of the operation. Motorists are asked to slow down, turn on headlights, and watch for firefighters working along the highway when traveling in this area.

Smoke will be most visible on days when burning occurs, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger in low-lying areas. Flames may be visible as fire consumes larger dead and down fuels. Smoke and flames can persist for several days after active ignitions are complete.

After the prescribed fire, ponderosa pine, pinyon, juniper, and other tree species may show brown or red needles on lower branches. This is a normal effect of fire on live vegetation called scorching. The red or brown needles will fall off and help raise canopy height, allowing native grasses and ground vegetation to receive more sunlight and stimulate growth. It also increases the distance between ground and ladder fuels to prevent crown fires.

For questions about the prescribed fire, please call the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center at [phone]. Fire information will also be available on the El Malpais National Monument Facebook page and https://nmfireinfo.com. Learn more about what’s involved in planning and implementing a prescribed fire at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/index.htm.

NPS-About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s more than 400 national parks units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.