Narrative:

This describes a situation where I found myself encroaching a tfr. A tfr had been established for firefighting activities related to a wildfire on the east side of the mountains just east of angel fire; NM airport (axx). Although the tfr was still in effect; the fires had ceased and notams regarding the airport closure related to firefighting activities had been canceled days earlier and the airport was open to all traffic. Arriving the previous day; we were able to approach the airport from the southeast and avoid the tfr as we descended into the mountains. Upon our arrival the previous day; as we passed near the tfr; we could see there were no longer any fires. We asked the airport manager about the tfr and he informed us that the wildfire was extinguished and that all firefighting activities were finished and the last participating helicopter had departed earlier that day; so we all assumed the tfr would be canceled soon.axx is a high elevation airport located in the mountains and surrounded by rapidly rising terrain in all directions. The airport has an obstacle departure procedure to the south when departing runway 17. When departing runway 35 to the north; many smaller general aviation aircraft which are unable to out-climb the mountains go through the cimarron pass to the east. The following day; for our departure; the winds had changed favoring a departure on runway 35 to the north. On initial climb out; above 10;000 MSL; winds increased significantly; moderate turbulence was encountered; and our climb rate was reduced due to turbulence and downdrafts. To minimize the time in the turbulence and avoid the higher mountains; we departed to the east through the cimarron pass. However; this route took us toward the tfr. We were safely climbing above the terrain but were unable to climb fast enough to be over the tfr's top altitude of 13;000 MSL before reaching the tfr boundary. Also; in this mountain pass; there is not enough room to safely do a 180 degree turn. When I realized we would not be able to climb above the tfr; I considered contacting albuquerque center for assistance but I had my hands full dealing with the moderate turbulence; and radio reception doesn't work in this area anyway until climbing to a higher altitude due to the mountains. Since the airport manager advised us that all firefighting activities had ceased the previous day; I wrongly assumed the tfr would also end.although local advice at the airport can be very helpful; don't rely on it solely. Check the official briefing again for the latest tfr status. In this instance where mountainous terrain and a limited departure path may make it necessary to transit a tfr; it may have been possible to obtain permission to transit the tfr since there was no longer any activity in the tfr. This could have been arranged by phone prior to departure since radio reception was not possible until climbing out of the mountains. Otherwise; the flight could have been postponed. My preflight planning needed to be more thorough to anticipate this situation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA pilot reported entering a TFR without approval.

Narrative: This describes a situation where I found myself encroaching a TFR. A TFR had been established for firefighting activities related to a wildfire on the east side of the mountains just east of Angel Fire; NM Airport (AXX). Although the TFR was still in effect; the fires had ceased and NOTAMs regarding the airport closure related to firefighting activities had been canceled days earlier and the airport was open to all traffic. Arriving the previous day; we were able to approach the airport from the southeast and avoid the TFR as we descended into the mountains. Upon our arrival the previous day; as we passed near the TFR; we could see there were no longer any fires. We asked the airport manager about the TFR and he informed us that the wildfire was extinguished and that all firefighting activities were finished and the last participating helicopter had departed earlier that day; so we all assumed the TFR would be canceled soon.AXX is a high elevation airport located in the mountains and surrounded by rapidly rising terrain in all directions. The airport has an obstacle departure procedure to the south when departing Runway 17. When departing Runway 35 to the north; many smaller general aviation aircraft which are unable to out-climb the mountains go through the Cimarron Pass to the east. The following day; for our departure; the winds had changed favoring a departure on Runway 35 to the north. On initial climb out; above 10;000 MSL; winds increased significantly; moderate turbulence was encountered; and our climb rate was reduced due to turbulence and downdrafts. To minimize the time in the turbulence and avoid the higher mountains; we departed to the east through the Cimarron Pass. However; this route took us toward the TFR. We were safely climbing above the terrain but were unable to climb fast enough to be over the TFR's top altitude of 13;000 MSL before reaching the TFR boundary. Also; in this mountain pass; there is not enough room to safely do a 180 degree turn. When I realized we would not be able to climb above the TFR; I considered contacting Albuquerque Center for assistance but I had my hands full dealing with the moderate turbulence; and radio reception doesn't work in this area anyway until climbing to a higher altitude due to the mountains. Since the airport manager advised us that all firefighting activities had ceased the previous day; I wrongly assumed the TFR would also end.Although local advice at the airport can be very helpful; don't rely on it solely. Check the official briefing again for the latest TFR status. In this instance where mountainous terrain and a limited departure path may make it necessary to transit a TFR; it may have been possible to obtain permission to transit the TFR since there was no longer any activity in the TFR. This could have been arranged by phone prior to departure since radio reception was not possible until climbing out of the mountains. Otherwise; the flight could have been postponed. My preflight planning needed to be more thorough to anticipate this situation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.