New Mexico Forestry Division

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

In much of the West, the first sign of a wildfire is still a plume of smoke reported by a hiker or concerned resident. But often by the time fire crews arrive, the fire has already spread.

AI wildfire detection technology aims to shrink that detection and response window to just a few minutes.

Ultra–high-resolution cameras mounted on mountaintops and cellular towers, paired with artificial intelligence, look for smoke by day and heat signatures at night. The system is monitored around the clock by human analysts, who verify detections before sending alerts to fire agencies, utilities and other partners.

Speed is crucial—but State Forester Laura McCarthy stressed that prevention is paramount. Despite new technology, New Mexico continues to see many human-caused fires. With statewide restrictions currently in place, McCarthy said it’s up to residents to follow the rules and “do their part to prevent wildfires.”

Read the full story: knpr.org/2026-05-08/ai-technology-expands-in-the-mountain-west-to-reduce-wildfires

05/22/2026

When it comes to forest treatments, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of suppression, a new study shows.

More precisely, every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, of nearly 300 fires in the western United States.

All told, these treatments, such as forest thinning and prescribed burning, prevented $2.8 billion in losses by reducing wildfire spread and fire severity.

Read the study: phys.org/news/2026-05-dollar-spent-forest-fuel-treatments.html

Photo:
📍 Glorieta

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Wide open spaces.

We’re working to restore meadow across 2,500 acres on the L Bar land in Cibola County.

The goal: reduce fire risk and ensure the grassland there stays grassland.

Woody vegetation (like junipers) encroaching into grasslands and meadows is common across New Mexico. By reducing juniper on the landscape back to historic levels, we can ensure this grassland remains grassland, able to support wildlife and future species introductions by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

(Note the wood chip spreads: That’s mastication at work.)

Read more about L Bar at tpl.org/our-work/l-bar.