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Here’s the latest for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest:

Here’s the latest for prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest:

Fire crews yesterday treated 500 acres in the American Creek Prescribed Fire unit, wrapping up ignitions on the project. They remain on scene today to mop up and hold the fire, which will continue to burn fuels in the unit's interior. Smoke may continue to be visible.

Fire crews are continuing with ignitions on the American Creek Prescribed Fire today after treating 450 acres on Wednesday.The prescribed fire is an understory burn, which mimics fire’s natural role in vegetation communities where it is frequent and low intensity. Crews apply fire broadly throughout an area under the forest canopy where grasses, leaf litter, fallen and dried pine needles, downed branches, brush and occasional single or clusters of trees are burned.Today, crews will continue with more hand and aerial ignitions.

With ideal weather conditions continuing, Carson National Forest fire managers are tentatively continuing with prescribed fire activity this week. Crews are continuing to prepare for the American Creek Prescribed Fire, where ignitions will begin as early as Oct. 1 and are expected to last two to three days.

Taking advantage of fall weather, Carson National Forest fire managers are planning to begin prescribed fire ignitions to improve forest health and resilience as early as Oct. 1. Crews plan to start with the American Creek Prescribed Fire to the west of Tres Piedras, N.M.The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather and fuel moisture conditions.

In addition to tentative plans for prescribed fire near Canjilon, Carson National Forest fire crews are working with meteorologists to identify potential timeframes for two projects near Tres Piedras, N.M.Ignitions on the Esquibel or American Creek prescribed fires could start as early as late this week, but they will ultimately depend on weather and site conditions. If unfavorable, fire managers will postpone the project to another season.