TAOS, N.M. — Old slash piles were chipped and burned yesterday along the established fireline and road system south of the Amole Canyon Road (Forest Road 703) to prepare for today’s firing operations. 

Hand and aerial ignitions are planned today along the eastern side of Highway 518, weather permitting, which may produce more smoke.  

 Monitoring of the fire area indicates that the objective of thinning out the understory to reduce hazardous fuels is being met. Old Gambel oak thickets are being burned and younger thickets are being thinned.  Some firs, junipers and spruce encroaching on timber stands are being consumed by the fire allowing for the regeneration of aspen which is a desired effect. 

 Highway 518 is open.  Motorists traveling Highway 518 between the U.S. Hill scenic overlook and the intersection of Highway 518 and Highway 75 (the Rock Wall) could be impacted by smoke.  Drivers should use caution due to increased fire traffic and firefighters working along the roadway.

 A temporary area closure is in effect (#02-469) in the area surrounding the Amole fire to provide for firefighter and public safety. The Amole Canyon and Tio Maes trail systems are within the closure area and use of these trails is not allowed.  All other forest trails are available for recreation. The closure order and map are available online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6589/.

Taos, Taos Canyon and the communities of Valle Escondido, Angel Fire, Rio Lucio, Chacon and Dixon could be impacted by smoke in the early afternoon and evening dependent on wind direction. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with heart or respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

For information on air quality and your health, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5 or contact the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 575-758-6200.

For more, visit or call Camino Real Ranger District at 575-587-2255 or go to https://nmfireinfo.com, https://inciweb.nwcg.com and www.fs.usda.gov/carson.