Lincoln National Forest Launches Trail Assessments in Fire-Scarred Areas to Guide Future Restoration

Alamogordo, NM – February 7, 2026 — The Lincoln National Forest has begun comprehensive on-the-ground assessments of approximately 48 miles of wilderness and multi-use trails damaged by the 2024 Blue 2 and South Fork Fires, marking a key step in the Smokey Bear Ranger District’s long-term post-fire recovery efforts.

Supported by partnerships with the National Forest Foundation and the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), recreational trail specialists are evaluating conditions in critical areas including the White Mountain Wilderness, Cedar Creek, and Perk Canyon (west of Ruidoso). The assessments document post-fire impacts such as erosion, instability, and safety hazards, while developing recommendations for repairs, sustainable relocations, or potential decommissioning of high-risk segments.

These evaluations aim to ensure safe public access, minimize further environmental damage like erosion that could exacerbate watershed challenges, and optimize future maintenance investments by avoiding repeated rebuilds in unstable zones.

The work builds on earlier phases: In late 2025, the National Forest Foundation supported assessments of about 18 miles of wilderness trails, while IMBA contributed to evaluations of roughly 30 miles of multi-use trails outside wilderness boundaries. Recommendations from these expert reviews will inform planning and on-the-ground rehabilitation starting in 2026, aligning with the forest’s five-year recovery timeline that progresses from assessments and regulatory compliance to active implementation through 2030.

This initiative is part of broader post-fire restoration following major wildfires—including the McBride (2022), Blue 2 (2024), South Fork, and Salt (2024)—that collectively burned over 38,000 acres, with significant focus on watershed health, infrastructure resilience, and community collaboration.

For more information, project updates, and opportunities to engage, visit the Lincoln National Forest’s dedicated post-fire restoration page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/projects/post-fire-restoration-smokey-bear-ranger-district

Citations / Sources:

• USDA Forest Service Press Release: “Trails assessment work in South Fork and Blue 2 Fire Scar” (February 5, 2026) — https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/newsroom/releases/trails-assessment-work-south-fork-and-blue-2-fire-scar

• Lincoln National Forest Current Efforts page — https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/projects/current-efforts

• Lincoln National Forest Post-Fire Restoration Project Page (Last updated February 5, 2026) — https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/projects/post-fire-restoration-smokey-bear-ranger-district

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