Date: June 27, 2008
SANDIA MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO CLOSE BY JUNE 30TH
from the Albuquerque Journal website, http://www.abqjournal.com/ (http://www.abqjournal.com/ ),
posted 1:54pm June 27, 2008
Fire Danger To Close Sandias
Written by Lee Ross
A large portion of the Sandia Mountains is expected to close Monday.
“We are in extreme fire danger that we’ve never seen before,” said Sandia District Ranger Cid Morgan.
All picnic areas along the Sandia Crest Highway (N.M. 536) should remain open except for Nine Mile and Cienega Picnic Ground, but all back country hiking trails will be closed. The Foothill Trail will remain open.
Karen Takai, fire information officer for the Sandia Ranger District, said N.M. 165 will be closed from Placitas to the Balsam Glade Picnic Area except by special permit.
Takai emphasized that the trail closures will including the popular La Luz Trail and the trail between the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and Sandia Peak.
The tram and the peak will remain open.
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Date: June 26, 2008
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST AND BLM'S FT. STANTON AREA TO RE-OPEN JULY 2ND
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Lincoln National Forest
1101 New York Avenue
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Bureau of Land Management
Roswell Field Office
2909 W. 2nd St
Roswell, NM 88201
Contact: Joe Garcia (505) 434-7200
FOREST TO RE-OPEN JULY 2 – FIRE RESTRICTIONS STAY IN EFFECT
Alamogordo, NM (June 26, 2008) – Effective July 2, 2008, at 8 a.m., the Lincoln National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management,Roswell Field Office will lift the Forest Fire Closure Orders and open the Lands under their jurisdiction to the public. Due to current fire danger and weather patterns, the threat of wildfires is still high. For this reason, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will remain in place.
The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will remain in place on the Lincoln National Forest, and the Fort Stanton Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The restrictions are as follows:
Prohibited: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or stove fire and smoking.
Allowed: Pressurized liquid gas or propane stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications.
Open burning is still prohibited on non-federal, non-municipal lands at local county and city levels in southeastern New Mexico. Please check with local agencies and authorities before creating a fire.
As always, fireworks are always prohibited on all federal lands.
“March 31 was the day the Forest implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions,” said Jacqueline (Jacque) Buchanan Lincoln National Forest Supervisor. “And, on May 1, 56 days ago, the Forest closed to public use. It is always a very serious decision to close National Forest System Lands and the decision to lift the closure is only made when factors such as fuel moisture, Energy Release Components and weather patterns indicate it is reasonable to do so. We feel that the conditions are now in place to allow the Forest to reopen on July 2nd. We want the public to enjoy all that the Lincoln has to offer but we still need everyone’s help to do that. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are still in place and our visitors must be respectful of that for the Forest to remain open. It will take all of us working together to ensure that our Forest stays green.”
The 2008 Fire Season began earlier this year due to the dry winter, above normal temperatures and high winds. Due to the concerns around the elevated fire danger and the agencies priority for public and firefighter safety, fire restrictions and subsequent closures were implemented. These efforts have proven to be effective in that there have been few human-caused fires in the area. Local fire prevention team members have effectively kept the public informed of the Forest Closure and the current Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
All Lincoln National Forest and Bureau of Land Management employees would like to say thank you to the public and communities for their cooperation during the closure and imposed fire restrictions.
Additional firefighting resources such as Hotshot crews, engines, and air resources are and will remain in place. Community protection and public safety are always first and foremost. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions that remain in place serves as a reminder to practice good fire safety while recreating on public lands.
“Lincoln National Forest Supervisor Jacque Buchanan made the right call in closing the Forest during this very dry winter and spring,” said Dave Venable, Mayor of Cloudcroft. “This Fire Closure did affect tourism and, in the short-term, our economic vitality. However, the closure did ensure the continued long-term economic strength of our mountain community livelihoods and helped maintain our natural resources. This is why visitors to the Lincoln National Forest can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities and through everyone’s continued efforts – “Let’s keep it wildfire free.”
All of the agencies in southeastern New Mexico would also like to thank the public and communities for their diligence to fire safety so far this year.
Ruidoso Mayor, L. Ray Nunley said, “What a great effort by everyone. No wildfires occurred in Ruidoso and we’re all very thankful for that. The citizens of this community would like to thank the U.S. Forest Service and volunteer fire department employees for their efforts and remind the public that our mountain communities are open, accessible, and business as usual.”
As a reminder, it will take more rains and snow through the rest of the monsoon and winter seasons to help bring moisture levels back up within the Forest. Forest officials ask that everyone continue to practice good fire safety all year round.
The Lincoln National Forest would like to remind business owners and organizations that helped inform the public of the “Forest Fire Closure” to remove the information signs/placards or display sheets on their counters, windows and doors so. The Stage 2 Fire Restriction notices are still good until that order is rescinded.
For additional information on National Forest restrictions, please contact the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office at (575) 257-4095; the Sacramento Ranger District Office at (575) 682-2551, Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Guadalupe Ranger District at (575) 885-4181, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The Bureau of Land Management Roswell Field Office at (575) 627-0272, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on fire or the Lincoln National Forest, please review the website at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln and additional fire information can be obtained at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire ) and http://www.nmfireinfo.com (http://www.nmfireinfo.com ), or call toll free 1-877-864-6985.
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NOTE TO MEDIA
There are 4 different stages (levels) of restrictions/closures in response to Fire risk:
Stage I (Level 1) -- No smoking outside of vehicles, or buildings. No open campfires outside of developed sites. No fireworks.
Stage II (Level 2 ) -- In addition to Stage I, adds prohibitions for explosives, chainsaw or other internal combustion engines (possibly during certain hours), welding, and using a motor vehicle off forest development roads; further restricts use of campfires.
Stage III (Level 3) -- The closure of specific areas of the Forest (as detailed in the Closure Order)
Stage IV (Level 4 ) -- Full forest closure
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Date: June 12, 2008
STATE FORESTER ADDS TO NEW MEXICO FIRE RESTRICTIONS
June 12, 2008 NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Dan Ware, Public Relations Coordinator 505-476-3336
EMNRD Secretary Announces Additional Fire Restrictions for Southwest New Mexico
Santa Fe – Because of increasingly hot and dry conditions, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop and State Forester Arthur “Butch” Blazer today announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfire and openfires for seven counties in southwest New Mexico. The restrictions will go into effect at 8:00 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2008.
The restrictions are being imposed due to low levels of precipitation, high winds hot temperatures and an increase in the occurrence of human caused fires, all of which place this part of the state an increased risk from wildfires.
The restrictions will be imposed on all nonmunicipal, nonfederal
and nontribal lands in Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Socorro Counties.
These new restrictions are an addition to those already imposed on Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lea, Lincoln, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, Torrance and Union counties, as well the parts
of Colfax, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Sandoval, Bernalillo and Valencia Counties that are east of Interstate 25. The restrictions in all counties listed will remain in effect until rescinded.
The restrictions include:
· Smoking: Allowed only in enclosed buildings, developed recreation areas, within structures, vehicles equipped with ashtrays on paved or surfaced roads and in areas at least three feet in diameter that are
barren or cleared of all flammable material.
· Fireworks: Prohibited in all state and private wildlands outside city or tribal jurisdictions. Wildland areas include lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, grass, grain or other flammable vegetation.
Exceptions are allowed for fire department approved public exhibits.
· Campfires: Banned in all open areas including New Mexico State Parks unless the following exceptions are met. An exception is granted to the above where cooking or heating devices use kerosene,
white gas or propane as a fuel in an improved camping area that is cleared of all flammable vegetation for at least 30 feet or has a water source. (For information, contact park managers or visit www.nmparks.com).
The State Forester is also allowing exceptions for charcoal grills and wood and coal stoves within yards associated with a residence or on the premises of a business.
· Open Burning: Open fires are restricted. This includes the burning of cropland, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, prescribed burning or weed burning. There is an exception for open burning on croplands that are irrigated. Persons conducting burns must notify the local fire department, monitor the burn at all times, secure the burn at the end of the day, and follow state air quality rules and local ordinances.
Flaring of gas is prohibited.
The State Forester grants an exception to open burning when the following conditions are met:
· At least one adult is on site with communications equipment adequate to reach county dispatch and the local fire department in the event of a fire. The individual should also be equipped with a shovel and a water backpack pump or other equipment to deliver water to suppress a fire.
· The local fire department and county dispatch are notified at least 24 hours in advance of anticipated releases that will result in flaring. If flaring is done by an automated system then the schedule of flaring shall be provided to the local fire department and county dispatch.
· Unless the flaring is needed for safety purposes, flaring pursuant to this exception shall not be done on days that are “red flag days” as determined by the National Weather Service or on days when the sustained wind is in excess of 25 miles per hour in the area.
Exemptions: The State Forester may allow exemptions from the above upon receiving a written request and granting subsequent approval in writing. You may apply for an exemption on the Forestry Division website at www.nmforestry.com.
An exemption does not relieve a person from any civil or criminal liability associated with an uncontrolled fire, including costs associated with wildland fire suppression.
For specific details and the legal restriction notification, log onto www.nmforestry.com. For more information, please call (505) 476 - 3326.
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Date: June 12, 2008
PARTIAL CLOSURES ON CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST BEGIN JUNE 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Albuquerque, June 9, 2008 – Beginning June 13, 2008, portions of the Cibola National Forest will be closed. Fire danger remains extreme and warrants closing a number of areas to visitors. “Closures are a last resort and they are not taken lightly. We all must work together to keep our forest as safe as possible and this include staying away from areas that have been closed.” stated Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose. “Recent isolated rain showers have brought little, if any, measurable moisture to the forest” she added.
Beginning 8:00 am, June 13, 2008, the following areas are affected:
MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT - Red Canyon Campground is open daily from 8am to 6pm (DAY USE ONLY – NO CAMPING) and accessible only through Forest Road 253. Please note all trails accessible from Red Canyon Campground are closed. All other campgrounds, trails and trailheads are closed. The Manzano Mountain Wilderness is closed. Roads remaining open include Forest Road 55 from NM State Road 55 in Tajique to the Forest Road 321 junction, Forest Road 55 on the south end from NM State Road 55 junction in Torreon to Trail Canyon Trailhead and Forest Road 422 from NM State Road 60 to Pine Shadow Trailhead. The Gallinas Mountains near Corona are open; however Red Cloud campground and Forest Road 99 are CLOSED. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler, coal or wood stove are prohibited. All vehicles must remain on Forest roads. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
For more information contact Mark Chavez, Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 505-346-3900 or one of the following district offices, Sandia Ranger District, 505-281-3304 or the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
To view a map delineating therse closures, click here.
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Date: June 9, 2008
GILA NATIONAL FOREST RESTRICTIONS OFFICIAL ORDER
Order Number: 06-271
FIRE RESTRICTIONS - GILA NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551, and 36 CFR § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the Gila National Forest and those portions of the Apache National Forest lying within New Mexico, administered by the Gila National Forest, in the following counties within the state of New Mexico: Catron, Grant,
Hidalgo and Sierra (“the restricted area”). The restricted area is depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated
into this Order as Exhibit A.
PROHIBITIONS:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site; 36 CFR § 261.52(a).
EXCEPTIONS: The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, providing such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety, is allowed. Persons using Forest Service designated campgrounds and/or picnic areas may have a campfire within pre-constructed Forest Service fireplace or fire ring. The designated campgrounds and picnic areas where campfires will be allowed are identified on the attached Exhibit B.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material; 36 CFR § 261.52(d).
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
This Order is necessary to protect public health and safety due to the extreme fire danger from dry conditions.
This Order becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, and will remain in force until rescinded or until August 1, 2008, whichever event occurs first.
Done at Silver City, New Mexico, this 4th day of June 2008.
SIGNED: Richard E. Markley
Forest Supervisor, Gila National Forest
Violations of these regulations is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or both; 16 USC § 551, and 18 USC §§ 3559 and 3571.
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Date: June 5, 2008
PRESS RELEASE: GILA NATIONAL FOREST ENTERING RESTRICTIONS JUNE 11TH
June, 5th 2008
CONTACT: Wayne Wilson (575)388-8245
Silver City, NM – Gila National Forest will implement fire and smoking restrictions effective Wednesday, June 11.
“We’ve been monitoring the dead and live fuel moistures very closely over the last six weeks”, said Fred Hernandez, Gila fire staff officer. “We’re heading into the driest time of the year and in light of public and firefighter safety, we feel that it’s now time to move forward with restrictions. The number of abandoned campfires has been on the rise over the past month. With visitor use increasing, and conditions being what they are, restrictions are a wildfire prevention tool that can help minimize the number of unwanted human-caused fires,” he said.
The official order states:
• It is prohibited to build, maintain, attend or use a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
• Smoking will be allowed or in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Fireworks are ALWAYS prohibited on federal lands.
Some exemptions include the use of petroleum fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices that meet Fire Underwriters’ specifications for safety; having campfires within a pre-constructed Forest Service fireplace within designated campgrounds and picnic areas (see list below); and Federal, State, or local officers, or members of organized rescue or firefighting forces while performing official duties.
A list of designated campgrounds where campfires will be allowed:
Black Range Ranger District (575) 894-6677
o No fires allowed in any campground on this district.
Quemado Ranger District (575) 773-4678
o Quemado Lake area:
Juniper Campground
Piñon Campground
El Caso Campground
Glenwood Ranger District (575) 539-2481
o Whitewater Picnic Area (Catwalk)
o Bighorn Campground
o Cottonwood Campground
o Pueblo Park Campground
Reserve Ranger District (575) 533-6231
o Dipping Vat Campground
o Ben Lilly Campground
o South Fork Campground
o Apache Creek Campground
o Aeroplane Mesa Campground
Wilderness Ranger District (575) 536-2250
o Upper Scorpion Campground
o Lower Scorpion Campground
o Lake Roberts area:
Upper End Campground
Mesa Campground
Lake Roberts Picnic Area
Silver City Ranger District (575) 388-8201
o Little Walnut Picnic Area
o Cherry Creek Campground
o McMillan Campground
o Iron Creek Campground
o Upper Gallinas Campground
o Lower Gallinas Campground
o Railroad Canyon Campground
The restrictions will be in effect at 12:01 am on Wednesday, June 11, and will remain in place until conditions improve.
For additional information about CURRENT fire and smoking restrictions in Arizona and New Mexico, please visit the following websites: http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php (http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php ) and http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php (http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php ) or call 1-877-864-6985.
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Date: May 14, 2008
CIBOLA MAGDALENA AND MT. TAYLOR DISTRICTS SET RESTRICTIONS FOR MAY 16TH
FIRE RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE MAY 16, 2008
FOR MT. TAYLOR AND MAGDALENA RANGER DISTRICTS
Albuquerque, May 13, 2008 – The Cibola National Forest, including the Mt. Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts will implement fire restrictions starting Friday, May 16 at 8:00am. Cibola National Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose explained, "With the recent increase in temperatures, higher winds, continued dry conditions, we feel it is necessary to take these precautions." Rose said. "We want our visitors to be fire safe while enjoying their national forests," she added. As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest system lands.
Beginning 8:00 am, Friday, May 16, 2008, the following restrictions apply to the Mt. Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts.
Open Campfire Restrictions:
Campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited on national forest lands except in Forest Service developed camp and picnic grounds where grills are provided.
Restrictions:
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. Please contact the Cibola National Forest for more details regarding where fires are allowed.
Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and free of all flammable material.
Please call for more information, Mark Chavez, Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 505-346-3900, or one of the following district offices:
- Mt. Taylor Ranger District, 505-287-8833
- Magdalena Ranger District, 575-854-2281
Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm. (http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm. )
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Show all Press
Releases and Official Orders for New Mexico |
06-27-08
SANDIA MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO CLOSE BY JUNE 30TH
06-26-08
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST AND BLM'S FT. STANTON AREA TO RE-OPEN JULY 2ND
06-12-08
STATE FORESTER ADDS TO NEW MEXICO FIRE RESTRICTIONS
06-12-08
PARTIAL CLOSURES ON CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST BEGIN JUNE 13, 2008
06-09-08
GILA NATIONAL FOREST RESTRICTIONS OFFICIAL ORDER
06-05-08
PRESS RELEASE: GILA NATIONAL FOREST ENTERING RESTRICTIONS JUNE 11TH
05-14-08
CIBOLA MAGDALENA AND MT. TAYLOR DISTRICTS SET RESTRICTIONS FOR MAY 16TH
Show all Press
Releases and Official Orders for New Mexico
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