Date: June 30, 2009
IMPORTANT REMINDER - NO FIREWORKS ANYWHERE IN NATIONAL FORESTS A-N-D BE AWARE OF BEARS
FIREWORKS PROHIBITED ON ALL NATIONAL FOREST LANDS
ALBUQUERQUE, June 30, 2009 - In anticipation of the July 4th holiday, Cibola National Forest officials remind everyone the importance of responsible recreating. Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose notes that fireworks of any kind are strictly prohibited on National Forest System lands. Violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. Cibola National Forest personnel will patrol the roads, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreational facilities during the holiday weekend.
Even though the Cibola National Forest is currently not under fire restrictions, campfire safety is still of concern. Forest officials urge everyone to follow fire safety precautions when visiting the forest. If you have a campfire, please abide by the following rules:
Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs,
dry grass, pine needles and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
Clear the area down to bare soil.
Keep your campfire safe and small, especially in windy conditions.
Never leave your campfire unattended.
Do not bury your coals as they can smolder and re-ignite later.
Drown the fire with water & dirt, stir remains, add more water and dirt, and stir again.
Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving. Feel all materials with your bare hand.
Forest Officials also remind the public to please “Be Bear Aware”. Some areas of the forest are experiencing a high occurrence of black bear sightings. Although beautiful to look at, black bears are wild creatures that are dangerous if provoked.
Supervisor Rose encourages Forest visitors to dispose of trash in receptacles located in camp and picnic areas or take it home with them if these receptacles are full. "If we all do our part, we can keep the Forests clean for everyone's enjoyment," Rose said.
Please contact Mark Chavez at (505) 346-3900 for additional information.
For other local fire restrictions and general fire information for any Southwestern Forest, you can use the World Wide Web at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/ (http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/ ) or you may call toll free 1-877-864-6985.
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Date: June 22, 2009
GILA NATIONAL FOREST CONTINUING TO MANAGE WILDFIRES, RE-OPENS FR150 AND CAMPGROUNDS
Gila National Forest Fact Sheet
June 22, 2009 - Fire Update – 10:00 am
Four lightning-caused wildfires are being managed to achieve resource objectives within ponderosa pine ecosystems on the Gila National Forest. The Joshua, Willow, Meason and Diamond fires are expected to remain active until the monsoon season is established, predicted to begin in late June or early July.
Wildland fires for resource benefits are often long duration events which require public support and understanding of smoke events, temporary inconveniences regarding travel, and potential closure of public use areas.
To effectively manage wildland fire, the landscape must be large enough to consider anticipated fire spread and the risk to the public must be minimal. The low to moderate fire behavior exhibited on wildland fire management events on the Gila National Forest this summer are contributing to improved wildlife habitat and a healthier forest.
++Joshua fire: Quemado Ranger District. Detected on 6/12/09, located 4 miles north of Luna, NM. The fire remains at 230 acres in size. This fire is being managed for resource benefits, which helps in the restoration of the forest by providing nutrients to the soil and encouraging growth of forbs and grasses. The fire is mostly smoldering within the interior. Although, the fire is located only 4 miles north of Luna, NM, there is no threat to structures or private property.
A total of 22 personnel are assigned.
For more information, please call 575-773-4678.
++Willow fire: Reserve Ranger District. Detected 5/30/09, located 14 miles northeast of Reserve, NM and 8 miles southeast of Apache Creek, NM. The fire is estimated to be about 8850 acres in size and no new growth has been reported.
If traveling Forest Service roads in or near the fire the area, please attempt to use alternative routes or be prepared for temporary travel delays.
CLOSURE NOTICE: The Continental Divide Trail is closed between Forest Roads 47 and 94.
Currently, 30 firefighting personnel are assigned to the fire.
For more information about the Willow fire, please call: 575-533-6231.
++Meason fire: Wilderness Ranger District. Detected on 6/1/09, located 26 miles north of Mimbres, NM. The fire perimeter measures at 6,695 acres. Due to more accurate mapping the acreage decreased. The fire continues to exhibit low to moderate fire behavior. Portions of the fire will remain active until the rains brought by the monsoon season extinguish the few live or active flames that exist. Fire behavior is expected to be at a low intensity today on the Meason fire.
Today, 20 personnel are assigned to the fire.
++Diamond fire: Wilderness Ranger District. Detected on 5/28/09, located 45 miles northeast of Silver City, NM. The fire perimeter measures at 16,045 acres. This fire is being managed to meet resource management objectives, while providing for public and firefighter safety first. There was an increase in fire behavior yesterday, resulting in additional growth along South Diamond Creek drainage and near Spring Mountain. The Bandelier Fire Use module will work on holding the fire east of Diamond Creek and working the fireline along Trail # 67. Along South Diamond Creek, fire progression is tracked and documented by the Fire Use module and Wilderness Ranger District crew members.
CLOSURE NOTICE: All Closures have been lifted.
Forest Road 150, Rocky Canyon Campground; and Upper and Lower Black Canyon Campgrounds are OPEN.
Please use caution if you are traveling in the area of the fires, there are still several fire personnel on and along the road. For safety precaution please drive with headlights on.
Today, 51 personnel are assigned to the fire.
For more information about the Meason and Diamond fires, please call 575-536-2250.
It is the policy of the Gila National Forest to suppress all human-caused wildfires.
For more information about current fire activity on the Gila National Forest, contact the fire information officer at 575-388-8245 or visit the website at http://fs.usda.gov/gila (http://fs.usda.gov/gila )
These fires are updated daily on http://www.inciweb.org/ (http://www.inciweb.org/ )
Visit http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/ (http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/ ) for New Mexico fire information.
++If a wildfire starts naturally, we can use different strategies and tactics in different parts of the fire to manage for multiple objectives, including public safety and resource objectives.
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Date: June 1, 2009
BLM ORDER CANCELS RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO
May 29, 2009
FIRE PREVENTION ORDER # NM-500-2009-02
STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS RESCINDED
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, PECOS DISTRICT OFFICE
This order rescinds # NM-500-2009-01 and allows the building, maintaining, attending and use of a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove. Smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is no longer prohibited.
Effective at 8 a.m. on June 1, 2009 the Stage I fire restrictions on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Pecos District Office are rescinded. The use or possession of fireworks on public lands is strictly prohibited at all times.
All BLM recreation areas, campgrounds and trails administered by the Pecos District Office are open to visitor use.
Questions regarding this order should be addressed to Ty Bryson, Pecos District Fire Management Officer at 575.234.5960.
Implemented by the Pecos District Office on this 29th day of May, 2009.
BY: Pecos District Manager
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Date: June 1, 2009
KIOWA NATIONAL GRASSLANDS RAISES RESTRICTIONS TO STAGE II IN NORTHEASTERN NM
FIRE RESTRICTIONS NOW AT STAGE II ON KIOWA NATIONAL GRASSLANDS
CLAYTON, NM, May 28, 2009 – The Kiowa National Grasslands will increase to Stage 2 fire restrictions effective 8:00 a.m., Friday, May 29, 2009. Kiowa National Grasslands District Ranger Nancy Walls stated, "Given the continued dry conditions, fire danger remains high and warrants this increase in fire restrictions." The Kiowa National Grasslands are located in the northeast part of New Mexico near Clayton.
Beginning 8:00 am, Friday, May 29, 2009, the following restrictions apply to the Kiowa National Grasslands.
Open Campfire Restrictions:
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler, coal or wood stove
are prohibited.
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
Smoking Restrictions:
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
District Ranger Nancy Walls would also like to remind the public that the Rita Blanca National Grasslands in Texas and Oklahoma will remain in the following Stage 1 restrictions:
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.
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. Please contact the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands for more details regarding where fires are allowed.
Smoking Restrictions:
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.
As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest lands.
Please contact Nancy Walls at the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (575) 374-9652, for additional information.
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Date: June 1, 2009
STATE FORESTRY LIFTS RESTRICTIONS IN 21 NEW MEXICO COUNTIES
NEWS RELEASE May 29, 2009
Contact: Dan Ware, Public Relations Coordinator
505-476-3336
State Forestry to Lift Fire Restrictions
Santa Fe - The New Mexico State Forestry Division has announced it plans to lift its smoking, firework, campfire and open fire restrictions for 20 New Mexico counties, initially imposed on May 13, 2009. The rescission will take effect on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 8 a.m.
The restrictions were imposed on all non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands in Catron, Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Mora,
Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, San Miguel, Sierra and Socorro Counties.
This action will include restrictions imposed at all New Mexico State Parks. This rescission does not affect any restrictions or closures imposed by local government agencies on their public lands that may still be in effect.
“We’ve seen some consistent rainfall and higher humidity across the state and because of that, we feel that the restrictions imposed in 20 counties can be lifted,” said New Mexico State Forester Arthur “Butch” Blazer. “We appreciate residents’ and visitors’ adherence to the restrictions while they were in place and
believe they helped reduced the number of human-caused wildfires. Increased moisture across New Mexico and fewer large fires indicate that fire danger is lower and is expected to decrease.
The State Forestry Division will continue to monitor fire danger across the state and may implement restrictions again, if conditions worsen. Drought conditions still exist across many parts of the state and New Mexico State Forestry urges all state residents and visitors to continue to be extremely cautious with fire.
So far, during calendar year 2009, New Mexico State Forestry has reports 409 fires, which have burned more than 145,000 acres.
For more information regarding fire restrictions in New Mexico, log onto www.nmforestry.com.
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Date: June 1, 2009
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST CANCELS FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Contact: Joe Garcia (575) 434-7200
James Villard (575) 434-7200
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST TO LIFT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Alamogordo, NM (May 29, 2009) – Effective June 1, 2009, at 8 a.m., the Lincoln National Forest will lift the Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
Recent moisture received on the Smokey Bear, Sacramento and Guadalupe Ranger Districts has allowed for ending Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. In the forest setting fuel moisture has increased, but it will take more rain and a set up of the monsoon pattern to continue to reduce fire danger to a lower level.
The Lincoln National Forest remains prepared for the duration of the 2009 wildfire season. Lincoln National Forest extends a thank you to the public and communities for your cooperation during the fire restrictions.
All agencies in southeastern New Mexico thank the public and communities for their diligence in fire prevention. Most of the fires that occur this time of year are human-caused. We need everyone’s help to keep our forest free of fires. Never leave a campfire unattended. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished. Keep water and hand tools ready in case your fire should attempt to spread. Campfire safety is a year round concern.
As always, fireworks are prohibited on the Lincoln National Forest, and approved spark arresters are mandatory on all internal combustion engines.
The Villages of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Cloudcroft, Sacramento, Weed, Timberon, Pinyon, and High Rolls look forward to the public visiting during this time or any time of the year.
Camping, hiking, bike riding or enjoying a relaxing picnic within the local area or the Lincoln National Forest can be a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
For specific information on a particular area, please contact your local Lincoln National Forest or any National Forest office. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. For current fire restriction information on public lands in the southwest, please call 1-877-864-6985.
For additional information on Lincoln National Forest, please contact the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office at (575) 257-4095 or 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 is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (575) 885-4181.
To contact New Mexico State Forestry, please call (505) 476-3336, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To report a fire, call (575) 434-2286 or toll free 1-877-695-1663.
For more information on the Lincoln National Forest, please visit our website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln.
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Date: June 1, 2009
BLM-LAS CRUCES DROPS RESTRICTIONS FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
FIRE PREVENTION ORDER #NM-030-09-01, EFFECTIVE MAY 15, 2009
FIRE RESTRICTIONS DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER
IS HEREBY RESCINDED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2009
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, LAS CRUCES DISTRICT OFFICE
This order rescinds NM-030-09-01 and allows the use of petroleum-fueled devices and open fires.
Effective June 1, 2009 fire restrictions on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office are lifted. The use or possession of fireworks on public lands is strictly prohibited at all times.
All BLM recreation areas, campgrounds and trails administered by the Las Cruces District Office are open to visitor use.
Questions regarding this order should be addressed to Steve Bumgarner, BLM Fire Management Officer at (505) 525-4305.
Done at Las Cruces, New Mexico, the 28th day of May, 2009.
Signed: Bill Childress, Las Cruces District Manager-BLM
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Show all Press
Releases and Official Orders for New Mexico |
06-30-09
IMPORTANT REMINDER - NO FIREWORKS ANYWHERE IN NATIONAL FORESTS A-N-D BE AWARE OF BEARS
06-22-09
GILA NATIONAL FOREST CONTINUING TO MANAGE WILDFIRES, RE-OPENS FR150 AND CAMPGROUNDS
06-01-09
BLM ORDER CANCELS RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO
06-01-09
KIOWA NATIONAL GRASSLANDS RAISES RESTRICTIONS TO STAGE II IN NORTHEASTERN NM
06-01-09
STATE FORESTRY LIFTS RESTRICTIONS IN 21 NEW MEXICO COUNTIES
06-01-09
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST CANCELS FIRE RESTRICTIONS
06-01-09
BLM-LAS CRUCES DROPS RESTRICTIONS FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Show all Press
Releases and Official Orders for New Mexico
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