The Capitan District spans the southeast corner of the state.  It is comprised of Chaves, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Otero, and Roosevelt Counties.  The district provides technical assistance to landowners and has wildland fire suppression responsibilities that cover 30,877 square miles, encompassing nearly 8.6 million acres of private, non-federal, and non-municipal lands.  The staff provides leadership and technical assistance on forest and watershed health projects, as well as fire safety issues.

Nick.Smokovich@state.nm.us

NICK SMOKOVICH is the Capitan District Forester. Nick joined the Capitan District in February of 2018 after working as the Timber Management Officer for the Socorro District.  He has been with the State Forestry Division since 2001. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Nick attended Slippery Rock University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in  Park, Recreation and Natural Resource Management.  He has several years of experience assisting landowners with forest management plans through the NM Forest Stewardship Program, working as an inspector for the American Tree Farm Program, and as an inspector for timber harvesting operations to ensure compliance with NM State Forestry’s harvesting regulations that supports sound forest practices.  Nick is the District Regional Coordinator for Firewise Communities.

Walter.Wilson@state.nm.us

WALTER WILSON is the Fire Management Officer (FMO). He joined the Capitan District in August of 2020 after 17 years of working as an Administratively Determined (AD) wildland firefighter for the Forestry Division. Walter has been a volunteer firefighter with the Lincoln County Fire Service since 1999 and is currently a member of the Pecos Type 3 Incident Management Team. As the FMO, Walter conducts fire prevention planning, wildland fire suppression, coordinates fire training courses, and works with communities in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to ensure homeowners are educated on the importance of defensible space. He also works closely with local governments on Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), assists rural fire departments with acquiring funding for firefighting equipment, and participates in many other projects.

Mary.Lavin@state.nm.us

MARY LAVIN is the Capitan District Timber Management Officer. She began working for New Mexico State government in 2017 and joined the Forestry Division in 2021. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Northern Arizona University and worked for the Apache-Sitgreaves and Lincoln National Forests as a Timber, Recreation and Lands Manager. As Capitan’s TMO, Mary is responsible for managing Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), Near Federal Lands (NFL), and watershed grants in Lincoln and Otero counties as well as the other five counties in the district. Mary also works in cooperation with other state, federal, non-profit, private and tribal groups on forest treatment and management plans.

PattyL.Wilson@state.nm.us

PATTY WILSON is the Administrative Management Officer for the Capitan District.  She is a proud Native New Mexican that started as seasonal employee for the district in 2012. She became the permanent District Administrative Management Officer in 2015. Patty has been a team member of the Pecos Zone Type 3 Team since 2013 and currently holds the position of Finance Section Chief Type 3.  

Since 1990, the Capitan District has also managed Smokey Bear Historical Park. Exhibits at the site include a historical timeline of fire prevention programs, Smokey Bear's story and final resting place, information about fire ecology, and more.  The surrounding gardens are an exploration of New Mexico's life zones, desert to sub-alpine.  The park is a major participant in local schools' annual Conservation Days.  Smokey Bear Days are held during the first weekend in May, and the park is involved in Capitan’s Fourth of July celebrations.  Easter and Halloween are also big events at Smokey Bear Historic Park.

Phillip.Heinstein@state.nm.us

PHILLIP HEINSTEIN has been a Park Ranger for Smokey Bear Historical Park since May 2018. He comes to us from Albuquerque with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of New Mexico.  Phillip wants to utilize his combination of education, outdoor skills, and appreciation of the environment to further the goals of the park through knowledge of fire prevention and history of Smokey Bear.

Wendy.Boss@state.nm.us

WENDY BOSS joined Smokey Bear Historical Park as a Park Ranger in September of 2018.  She worked in Capitan at the local hardware store for 5 years and has 13+ years’ experience and knowledge of construction, landscaping, sprinkler systems and maintenance capabilities.  Wendy also comes to the NM State Forestry family with many years of banking experience and public relations. 

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