Pile burns in December 2025 on San Antonio Mountain. Photo by Jason Thivener/NPS

VCNP News:

With the recent snowfall, the National Park Service will ignite burn piles starting Friday, Jan. 9, on the Cerro Pinon Unit of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Smoke will be visible from the unit, located on the north side of Valle Grande.

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 fuel reduction projects.