Remote Surveillance Trailer in Santa Fe, NM

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction.

The Santa Fe National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations in the Española Ranger District as early as February 23, 2026, pending all required approvals. The Blanco prescribed fire is a 718-acre broadcast burn located off Forest Road 144 west of Clara Peak and north of Santa Clara Pueblo. Fire managers will look for opportunities to implement this burn from February 18 to March 15, as weather conditions allow. A broadcast burn is when fire is applied across a defined area or boundary to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. This is a maintenance burn, which refers to a low to moderate intensity prescribed fire conducted to keep surface fuels reduced and continue to build a fire resilient ecosystem.

Fire managers will use hand and aerial ignitions, including a drone (UAS), over 4 days as weather conditions allow. The project area will be broken into smaller units to allow fire managers to burn smaller sections at a time. During the burn, a drone with infrared heat-detection capability will detect pockets of heat near containment lines, both during and after ignitions.

The area may be closed 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. Smoke will be visible from Española, Los Alamos, and Santa Fe and surrounding communities off U.S. Route 84 including Chili, Hernandez, and Abiquiu. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. 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 the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

"The most colorful places in New Mexico" may sound like an oxymoron, but the Land of Enchantment isn't all barren, monochromatic desert. From otherworldly geologic wonders to golden autumn foliage and vibrant art displays, these destinations will make you fall in love with New Mexico all over again. Whether you're a photographer looking to get some epic shots for your portfolio or a tourist seeking out epic views, we're letting you in on the state's most vibrant spots and the best time to visit each one.

1. Santa Fe National Forest

Located in the northern part of the state, the Santa Fe National Forest covers over 1.6 million acres of rugged, mountainous terrain. The highest point is Truchas Peak, which towers at over 13,000 feet. From sacred cultural sites to ancient volcanic formations, the forest offers a wide range of experiences for visitors.

When to Visit for the Best Color and Light

If vibrant colors are what you're after, you'll want to plan a trip for the fall. The hillsides explode with color as the aspens turn brilliant shades of gold, and the scene looks worthy of a postcard. Take a fall hike on the Aspen Vista Trail, which leads from the Aspen Vista Picnic Ground Overlook up to the Santa Fe ski area. It's fairly long (about six miles each way), but the bold scenery is a worthy trade-off. Plus, even though the hike is lengthy, it isn't super difficult. That said, if you'd rather enjoy the views from the comfort of your car, the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway is one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico, offering breathtaking panoramas.

2. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, Farmington

Want to feel like you're on another planet? Visit the De-Na-Zin Wilderness, commonly known as the Bisti Badlands. This remote wilderness area south of Farmington is famous for its otherworldly appearance, with uniquely shaped rock formations known as hoodoos, whose distinct layers of color result from variations in mineral concentrations. The undeveloped landscape is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which means there is no entrance fee. However, there are no marked trails, so a map and compass or GPS are essential to avoid getting lost. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the Bisti Badlands, as summers can be dangerously hot, while winters are cold and wet. Sunrise and sunset paint the sky in an array of vivid hues, further enhancing the beauty of the alien-like terrain.

3. Downtown Santa Fe

Of course, any list of colorful places to visit in New Mexico should include Santa Fe. The City Different is full of vibrant art installations, with over 100 galleries along the historic, half-mile Canyon Road. Shiprock Santa Fe, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum are also known for their colorful displays.

The Most Colorful Places to Visit in New Mexico

Other colorful places to visit in New Mexico include Ghost Ranch, Bandelier National Monument, and Valles Caldera National Preserve. Even the colorless landscape of White Sands National Monument takes on radiant hues at sunset. For man-made art, the quirky town of Madrid is a must-visit.

How many of the most colorful places in New Mexico have you visited? Would you add any others to the list?

If you're feeling inspired to discover more destinations where you can experience New Mexico in color, try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Beginning April 7 from Denver and April 10 from Salt Lake City, Rocky Mountaineer’s U.S. brand, Canyon Spirit, will begin operating weekly “Rockies to Red Rocks” round trips. These travel on the California Zephyr’s route plus passage over Union Pacific’s Cane Creek branch in Utah through mid-November. However, there are no plans on the drawing board for any new U.S. routes.

A reader comment on a recent Trains report [“‘Flex-dining’ lunch additions …,” Trains.com, Feb. 10, 2026] indicated the company was studying expansion south of Denver to Santa Fe, N.M. However, Rocky Mountaineer communications manager Dallas Carlson says, “I can confirm that this is false. While we continue to explore potential new route options in the U.S., we are not considering a route to New Mexico at this time.”

She adds: “When speaking with colleagues, they mentioned that the area was briefly researched around 10 years ago, but nothing since.”

Carlson says that bookings for both the Colorado-Utah excursions and this year’s Canadian offerings “are pacing above target for both brands.” Despite new cross-border requirements and fees imposed by the U.S. government, “the United States remains our strongest market for both Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit.”

A Trains spot check of the Canyon Spirit website reveals that the premier upgrade for the Denver-Salt Lake journey, allowing access to the train’s lounge car and other perks, is already sold out on some departures. Prices for the three-day trip — with overnight stops in Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Moab, Utah — start at more than $2,000 per person, including meals and hotel stays.

Canadian route adjustments

The influx of crowds attending World Cup soccer matches beginning June 13 through early July has pushed the price of hotel rooms in Vancouver, B.C., and other North American host cities into the stratosphere. As previously reported, the company will operate 13 new “Passage to the Peaks” two-day excursions between Banff and Jasper, Alberta, with an overnight stop in Kamloops, B.C. [see “Rocky Mountaineer announces …,” Trains.com, Aug. 15, 2025]. This is in lieu of serving the Kamloops-Vancouver segment. The last trips making the revised circuit depart Banff on July 8 and Jasper on July 10; Vancouver will continue to be served by one or two trips weekly in each direction during the period, depending upon the route. Details are available on Rocky Mountaineer’s website.

Meanwhile, operation beyond 2026 over Canadian National’s former BC Rail route north of Vancouver through Whistler, Lillooet, and Quesnel, B.C., is still uncertain. The railroad announced its intention to abandon 214 miles of track last year [see “CN seeks to end lease …,” July 22, 2025]. Rocky Mountaineer’s website shows a 2027 booking option for these “Rainforest to Gold Rush” itineraries between North Vancouver and Jasper. But according to Carlson, “At this time, we do not have any information to share regarding the operation of Rainforest to Gold Rush in 2027. We are still waiting to hear more from CN regarding the rail line and will share more information when we have it.”

— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.