Magdalena Ranger District - Hop Patterson Prescribed Fire
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – September 16, 2026 – The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) is planning implementation on the Magdalena Ranger District Hop Patterson Prescribed (Rx) Fire as early as Sunday, September 20th. Work will continue on this project as multi-day operation as weather conditions allow.
Prescribed Fire planned for:
Hop Patterson Prescribed Fire: anticipated 200 acres of pile burning units in the project area located 3 miles south of Magdalena and adjacent to the communities of Hop and Patterson Canyon within the Magdalena Mountains, NM. Smoke may be visible from Alamo and Magdalena, NM. See map attached.
We use prescribed fires to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
This area may be closed to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. Smoke is expected to lift during the day, however, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and on the Cibola NF & NGs website, and Cibola Facebook sites. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation's forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
