News Release

Valles Caldera Winter Prescribed Burns Beginning

FIre crew member monitoring pile burns on a snowy mountain slope during a previous burn.

NPS

News Release Date: December 1, 2025

Contact: Dave Krueger, 505-412-0826

Jemez Springs, NM – The National Park Service is set to begin winter pile burning operations within the San Antonio Mountain project area of Valles Caldera National Preserve beginning on or shortly after December 2nd, 2025. If conditions are not favorable to begin burning in San Antonio, the team will switch to burning piles on either South Mountain or Cerro Piñon. The area around the burn activities will be closed to public access until operations are completed.

Fire updates will be posted on the Current Conditions page of the park’s website, the park's Facebook page, and the New Mexico Fire Information website. Smoke-sensitive individuals may also be added to the park’s notification system: e-mail us or call 505-412-0826 to leave a voicemail with your email address.

Burning activities will continue throughout the winter months as weather and fuel conditions allow, and ignitions will occur only when adequate snow cover or moisture is present to ensure safe and effective operations.

These prescribed pile burns are designed to reduce hazardous fuels, promote forest health, and decrease the risk of high-severity wildfires in the future. The piles consist primarily of woody debris generated from previous forest thinning and fuels reduction projects.

During active burning, smoke may be visible from State Route 4, nearby communities, and other areas within and surrounding the park. Fire managers will monitor weather conditions closely and implement strategies to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities and roadways.

Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priority during all prescribed fire activities.

The National Park Service manages prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

www.nps.gov/vall

Valles Caldera National Preserve | About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 14-mile-wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The park is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich cultural history. Visit us at nps.gov/vall.

National Park Service | More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov.