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Whenever you plan to head out on to your public lands, it's always wise to call ahead to the Field Office or Ranger Station that oversees your destination to check on local conditions. Point and click at the interactive map above to search all of the state's recreation sites for phone numbers and other details. |
New Mexico Fire News
NEW MEXICO RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES
SEEING SMOKE IN NEW MEXICO? MAYBE IT'S INTENTIONAL
Fire Restriction Definitions
PRESS SECTION -- click here to read official agency Press Releases and/or Restriction and Closure Orders
Latest Fire News
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Prescribed burns like this one help reduce fire danger, and so do following posted restrictions! Keep our public lands open every summer!
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NEW MEXICO RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES
July, 2011
NOTE: This page and the PRESS SECTION are intended for recreationists who might be concerned with how government and tribal agencies' Fire Restrictions and Closures, as well as prescribed burning, can affect camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. For information about active wildfires, you can also scroll to the bottom of this page and use the links.
PLEASE read the notices below and in the Press Section carefully before you take off for outdoor activities. Opportunities for having fun on public lands abound year round, even during the summer "fire season." Scattered wildfires may temporarily affect travel while being managed or suppressed by fire crews, but there is always some place where you can camp, hike, fish, visit historic sites or take a leisurely drive to enjoy the scenery.
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS LISTED BELOW BEFORE PACKING THE STEAKS AND MARSHMALLOWS FOR YOUR CAMPING TRIP!!
And remember, FIREWORKS are ALWAYS illegal on public lands!!
WHAT`S OPEN:
Most everything! Most public lands around the state are open except for the areas listed below in the What's Closed section.
It`s always wise to call ahead to the Field Office or Ranger Station that oversees your destination to check on local conditions. Point-and-click your way around the interactive map of New Mexico above to search all of the state's recreation sites for phone numbers and other details.
WHAT`S RESTRICTED:
Different land managing agencies establish their fire restrictions for their lands in different ways. Some use national forest or ranger district boundaries, county lines or their agency-based administrative areas. Use the maps found throughout this website to clarify where you might be restricted from using fires. Start here to find county or national forest boundaries.
NATIONAL FORESTS and GRASSLANDS
Carson National Forest has lifted all fire restrictions. For more details, click here.
Santa Fe National Forest has lifted all fire restrictions. The areas of the Pacheco Fire and the Las Conchas fire remain closed. For more details, please click here
New Mexico Highway 4 through the Jemez Mountains is open.
Valles Caldera National Preserve is on a Stage I Fire Restriction. Regular Summer activities have resumed, except in the burned areas, and fishing programs remain suspended until further notice. For more details, please click here
Lincoln National Forest has removed all fire restrictions.
For more details, please click here.
Cibola National Forest has a variety of restrictions posted:
The Mt. Taylor Ranger District has removed all fire restrictions.
The Mountainair Ranger District has removed all fire restrictions.
The Magdalena has removed all fire restrictions.
The Sandia Ranger District has removed all fire restrictions.
Black Kettle and McClellan Grasslands are at Stage II.
Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands are in Stage II.
For more information, click here.
NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS
Bandelier National Monument has partially reopened. For details, click here
Salinas Pueblos National Monument has also posted restrictions. For details, click here.
El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments are currently allowing fires in designated grills. Self-contained gas grilles or stoves may also be used. Smoking only in a private vehicle; smoking outside is prohibited throughout both monuments. Use or possession of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices is prohibited.
Pecos National Historical Park has rescinded their Stage II Fire Restriction Order as of August 3rd.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park has also implemented seasonal Fire Restrictions. For details, click here.
Individual National Parks and Monuments maintain differing restrictions on cooking and campfires year round - use the interactive map above to locate individual sites and check the NOTES at the bottom of a site's page for local restrictions.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM)
As of July 29th, all BLM Fire Restrictions have been lifted. The only remaining closure in effect is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, due to increased flooding danger. For more information, click .
For a map of BLM District and Field Office boundaries in New Mexico, click here .
U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Reservoirs
COCHITI LAKE reopens on Wednesday, August 17th. Details can be found here.
ABIQUIU LAKE usually follows the lead of its two adjoining National Forests - the Carson and Santa Fe - and observes the restrictions policy of whichever forest has the more lax rules in place; about the only thing you could burn up at Abiquiu Lake is some rocks on their shoreline. CONCHAS LAKE coordinates any restrictions it might impose with the Conchas Lake State Park.
VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE
The Preserve is open, with activities restricted in the areas impacted by the fire.
STATE PARKS
STATE PARKS
Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Cerrillos Hills, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, El Vado Lake, Heron Lake, Living Desert, Mesilla Valley Bosque, Oasis, Rio Grande Nature Center, Santa Rosa Lake, Storrie Lake, Sugarite Canyon, Sumner Lake, Ute Lake, Viet Nam Veterans and Eagle Nest Lake State Parks are all observing fire restrictions per STATE FORESTRY DIVISION ORDER 2011-02, EFFECTIVE JUNE 23, 2011 SMOKING, FIREWORKS, CAMPFIRES, OPEN BURNING, AND OPEN FIRES ARE PROHIBITED UNLESS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET: Smoking is prohibited except in enclosed buildings, within vehicles equipped with ashtrays, and on paved or surfaced roads, developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Use of fireworks is prohibited within parks without the superintendent’s advance written approval. Campfires are prohibited unless the following exception s are met. An exception is granted where cooking or heating devices use kerosene, white gas, or propane as a fuel in an improved camping area that is cleared of flammable vegetation for at least 30 feet or has a water
These restrictions do NOT apply at Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake State Parks. Campfires are allowed at those parks only within 100 feet of the lake shoreline. Smoking is also prohibited - except in enclosed buildings, within vehicles equipped with ashtrays, and on paved or surfaced roads, developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
The following State Wildlife Areas are open to the public:
· Pecos Canyon properties, including Monastery Lake and the Bert Clancy, Terrero, Mora and Jamie Koch camping and fishing areas.
· Fenton Lake State Park in the Jemez Mountains will reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday under Stage II fire restrictions: no campfires, no charcoal fires, no smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, no chainsaws, no internal or external combustion engines without a spark-arresting device, no welding, no off-highway vehicles.
· Seven Springs Fish Hatchery and kids pond north of Fenton Lake in the Jemez Mountains.
· Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Area along the Middle Rio Grande bosque composed of Bernardo Waterfowl Area, Belen Waterfowl Area and La Joya Waterfowl Area.
· William S. Huey Wildlife Area north of Artesia.
· Rio Chama Wildlife Area for fishing, camping, hiking and horseback-riding near Chama.
· Humphries Wildlife Area for hiking and horseback-riding near Chama.
· Sargent Wildlife Area for fishing, hiking and horseback-riding near Chama.
· Colin Neblett Wildlife Area near Eagle Nest will be open for hiking and hunting. Cimarron Canyon State Park has reopened for fishing and camping under Stage II fire restrictions: no campfires, no charcoal fires. Please check with the park, (575) 377-6271, for updates and more information.
· Urraca Wildlife Area north of Questa.
· Barker Wildlife Area northwest of Cimarron.
· Red River Fish Hatchery campground and parking area.
· Rio de los Pinos Fishing Area northwest of Tres Piedras.
STATE TRUST LANDS
On July 28th, State Forestry lifted all restrictions on non-federal, non-municipal, and non-tribal lands across New Mexico. For more information, click here.
COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL JURISDICTIONS
On June 24th, a Restriction Order was issued by State Forestry across ALL COUNTIES in New Mexico. For greater details, please see the press release here
BERNALILLO COUNTY Entrance to the bosque (that's "woods" to non-Spanish speakers) along the Rio Grande is now open
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SIERRA COUNTY imposed a county-wide Fire Restriction effective March 19, 2011. Open burning, controlled burns (including campfires) trash barrel burning and the ignition of any form of fireworks are strictly prohibited throughout Sierra County.
GRANT COUNTY where a nearly 1,500-acre wildfire near Silver City early in March destroyed 13 homes and dozens of outbuildings has also instituted restrictions which ban open fires and most fireworks as well as outdoor smoking in unincorporated parts of the county except on private residential property or barren dirt, pavement and concrete that has proper disposal for burning objects.
On March 28th, COLFAX COUNTY followed with similar restrictions to those above.
The village of RUIDOSO and the city of RUIDOSO DOWNS also posted restrictions on March 29th. Both communities now order that there be no charcoal or wood burning briquettes on any public or private property (UL/FM approved gas grills are allowed), no outside smoking on public or private property (smoking must occur within closed vehicles or indoors), no open fires and, of course, no fireworks.
SANTA FE COUNTY added their restrictions on April 13th.
MORA and SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES are also observing restrictions as noted here .
So is LINCOLN COUNTY.
BUREAU of INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA)
Although Native American tribal governments cooperate in federal and state fire prevention plans and activities, one should always
remember that tribal lands are NOT public lands; please observe all tribal restrictions on access, photography, etc.
The NAVAJO NATION has lifted fire restrictions on July 19.
The MESCALERO RESERVATION has posted extreme fire danger restrictions and a closure order. For details, click here .
WHAT`S CLOSED:
Local conditions sometimes require land managers to close access or use of areas within their jurisdiction. MANY OF THE CLOSURES BELOW WERE POSTED WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES - CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL IN PLACE. In fact, ALWAYS check with local offices before venturing out on to New Mexico's public lands.
SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST remains closed in the areas of the Pacheco fire and the Las Conchas fire due to flooding and other dangers. For More information, click here.
STATE PARKS
MANZANO MOUNTAINS STATE PARK remains closed.
As a result of closures to the Santa Fe National Forest, FENTON LAKE STATE PARK, CIMARRON CANYON STATE PARK, are CLOSED as of June 30th 2011.
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST has reopened.
Western areas of the QUEMADO, RESERVE and GLENWOOD Ranger Districts have been closed. Similarly, management of the Miller Fire in the GILA WILDERNESS west of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, caused many wilderness trails west of New Mexico Highway 15 to be closed and Heart Bar Wildlife Area was also closed to public access. Stage II restrictions are in place throughout the GILA NATIONAL FOREST. Visit their website here for updated information.
Bandelier National Monument is partially open.
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SEEING SMOKE IN NEW MEXICO? MAYBE IT'S INTENTIONAL
There are two kinds of fires that might cause some smoke:
One is your well-tended and thoroughly-OUT-when-you-leave CAMP FIRE and the other is a WILDLAND FIRE - that's any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland.
There are also two types of wildland fires. They are wildfires and prescribed fires.
Wildfires are unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Some wildfires that occur naturally, by lightning, can be managed to achieve resource management objectives.
Prescribed fires are planned ignitions. They are ignited by agency personnel to meet specific objectives in order to prevent or reduce the intensity of any future wildfire.
Many agencies and tribes practice prescribed burning to eliminate excess fuels and reduce fire danger. Weather and environmental conditions play a key role in the timing and accomplishment of these projects. People in these areas will see and smell smoke for the duration of the burn; smoke inversions may occur during nighttime hours. As always, firefighter and public safety are the top priority. For an example of an agency Press Release announcing a prescribed burn project, click here.
Sometimes, naturally caused wildfires are allowed to burn for the same reasons. The objective of any such "managed" fire is to protect, maintain and enhance resources, and, as nearly as possible, allow fire to function in its natural ecological role within defined boundaries.
Before a fire is put into such status, land managers evaluate several criteria. For example, archaeologists and wildlife biologists inspect the area to ensure wildlife habitats and archaeological sites will not be harmed as a result of the fire or management practices. Before a fire can be actively managed, its boundaries and the weather and fuels conditions under which the fire will be allowed to burn are carefully established.
In both cases, agency fire managers follow strict guidelines, monitoring burn conditions and the generation of smoke. If you are concerned about how wildfire smoke can affect your health, click here.
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Fire managers use prescribed fire as a tool to reduce the risk of wildfire.
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Fire Restriction Definitions
Remember, FIREWORKS are ALWAYS illegal on public lands!!
NOTE 1:
Agency and tribal Fire Restrictions and Closures apply to undeveloped lands as well as to their developed recreation sites.
NOTE 2:
Some agencies do not use levels or stages of restrictions at all; they either are or are not in restrictions as posted above. When the terms "Stage One" or "Level Two" are used, they usually have the following meanings, but to view official Agency Press Releases and Restriction or Closure Orders in detail, click here for the chapter-and-verse details.
Stage ONE Restrictions:
Open campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited, except in developed camp and picnic grounds where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided - these are usually areas that charge campsite fees. Sometimes, getting a campfire permit from the Ranger in developed campgrounds is also required. Check postings at the campground before starting your fire.
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters usually are allowed. Again, check local postings to be sure.
Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within vehicles equipped with ashtrays and on paved or surfaced roads, within developed recreation sites or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Open burning, i.e., burning of cropland, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, or weed burning, is prohibited. At this level of fire restrictions, fire managers may use prescribed fire as a tool to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfire.
Stage TWO Restrictions:
NO OPEN FIRES!!! Which means that "building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, broiler, coal, or wood stove fire is prohibited" anywhere in the restricted jurisdiction- even in developed recreation sites. Public lands users are allowed to use pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, or space-heating devices - check your gear before heading out to be sure it operates safely.
Smoking is only allowed inside an enclosed vehicle.
NO motor vehicles can be taken off road, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
Parking overnight in developed campgrounds and trailheads is usually allowed.
Internal or external combustion engines must have properly installed, maintained, and working spark arrestors.
Explosives (including fireworks) are prohibited.
Operating chainsaws, other equipment powered by an internal
combustion engines, and welding is usually restricted as well.
Stage THREE Restrictions authorize partial closure of affected areas.
Stage FOUR Restrictions call for total closure of affected areas.
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