What Made This Prescribed Fire a Success?
Welcome to the New Mexico Forestry Division's monthly newsletter
NMFD Newsletter | January 9, 2026
News from New Mexico's Forests
Welcome to the Forestry Division's monthly newsletter!
From the staff of the EMNRD Forestry Division , we're excited to ring in the New Year with this monthly missive that aims to keep you tuned in to what we're up to and what's happening in our forests. We'll share success stories, resources and wildfire prevention tips, along with program and funding information and, of course, photos from the field.
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From the Field
Wondering what's going on out there? From the Field is a new series of deep dives into stories unfolding on the ground across New Mexico.
First stop: Black Lake.
Prescribed fire has a mixed reputation in New Mexico. In Black Lake, when communities see smoke, rather than seeing something that’s evil, they’re learning to see something that’s necessary.
After years of tension around prescribed burns, fire practitioners and community members are coming together to readjust to living with fire on the landscape.
Read the story
Hot Tip: Ashes to Ashes
New Mexicans know: There's nothing quite like coming home to cozy up in front of the fire. Whether wood stove or kiva fireplace, whether for a one-night flame or cooking dinner every evening, fires are winter tradition from Cloudcroft to Cimarron.
This winter has brought record-breaking early season warmth , but cold days are coming , meaning it's time to crank up the heat at home.
Fire doesn't end when flames die down: You have to dispose of wood ash safely, too. Tossing ash over the porch railing won't cut it — even "cold" ashes retain enough heat to ignite flammable materials. In December, the Hough Fire outside Portales burned 40 acres of grassland. Its origins? Improperly disposed hot ash.
These steps will help you keep your home and neighborhood safe this winter:
1. Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them.
2. Never empty ashes directly into a trash can.
3. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and store it at least 10 feet away from your home and other buildings.
4. Pour water on ashes.
Did you know? Some parts of New Mexico, like Taos County , have some of the highest per capita rates of wood stove use in the country. All the more important to burn safely from start to finish.
Learn more
In the Community
Photos by: Tom Zegler
???? Silver City
This long-term project within the Silver City wildland urban interface has thinned 947 of 1,222 acres, returning densely overgrown pinon-juniper to savannah woodlands and reducing both competition stress and wildfire risk to the surrounding communities at risk. The photos above show the difference before and after treatment and piling efforts (Sept. - Dec. 2025). And how 'bout that view?
???? Tijeras
New Mexico’s state tree has faced difficult years , including a mass die-off in 2023. Piñon nut harvesters and pinyon jays are both feeling the effects. In a KOB segment , our Forest Health Program Coordinator discusses the tiny culprit: the pinyon ips bark beetle.
???? Pinos Altos Range
Success! When the Trout Fire (July 2025) hit this ponderosa forest in the Gila National Forest — which had previously been treated with prescribed fire — it slowed right down to a crawl. The trees and the soil here have rebounded quickly. It goes to show: Treating our forests insulates them from bigger fires down the road.
???? Ruidoso
Work continues on the South Fork Hazard Tree and Watershed Stabilization Program. Tracking Progress: The new South Fork Application Tracker allows landowners to see real‑time updates on their application status, including approvals, scheduled assessments, and progress toward implementation. Check it out and stay informed.
The Broadcast: News and Notes
Op-ed: Wildfire prevention costs less than suppression | Albuquerque Journal
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”: That old adage applies to wildfires, too. State Forester Laura McCarthy talks prevention, the crucial undercover partner of wildfire management – and New Mexico's work to stop catastrophic fires before they start.
What America can learn from its largest wildfire of the year | The New Yorker
The Grand Canyon's Dragon Bravo Fire tested communities' trust in managed wildfires. But the largest wildfire of 2025 “ ... did not lead to a crisis of faith in managed wildfires. If anything, it seemed to have strengthened firefighters’ convictions.”
Are burn scars melting snowpack faster? | Wildfire Today and Nature Communications
As burned areas increase and snowpack decreases , new research probes how black carbon and charred woody debris may contribute to faster melting.
Wildfire Potential Outlook - January, 2026 | National Interagency Fire Center
Warm, dry winter weather persists across New Mexico, with the state seeing a persistent drought outlook and temperatures 6-12 degrees F above average . With an abundant grass crop, eastern New Mexico is set to see above normal fire potential in February and March.
Restoring burn scars by planting trees | Hermit's Peak Watershed Alliance
Forestry in action! See how foresters, researchers and community members are coming together to restore burn scars with the oldest technology on the books: planting trees! (Hear from Forestry Division staff, too.)
Events and Upcoming
????️ Forest and Watershed Health Group Meeting | Friday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m.
Virtual Meeting - Teams
This quarterly meeting hosted by Forestry Division invites cooperators and partners to share updates on ongoing work and projects within the state. The public is invited to attend. Click here for Teams link .
????️ Wildfire Safety Town Hall | Monday, Jan. 12, 5-6:30 p.m.
Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 NM 333, Tijeras NM 87059
Join PNM, Bernalillo District staff, and others at this public safety town hall focused on wildfire safety and learning more…