SFNF News:
SANTA FE — Inclement weather has prompted additional road closures on the Cuba and Jemez Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).
District personnel will close several forest roads beginning today, Jan. 4, to protect public health and safety, infrastructure, natural resources and wintering wildlife.
Forest Roads (FRs) 144 and 376 on the Jemez District were closed last week after ice and snow stranded six vehicles that required assistance.
Roads to be closed:
- Cuba District: FRs 70, 69, 531, 534 and 93; and
- Jemez District: FRs 10, 378, 280, 268 and 289.
The spur roads leading off these main roads also will be inaccessible for travel. Crews will be patrolling roads to make sure that forest visitors are not trapped behind locked gates.
Seasonal road closures on the SFNF generally occur between December and May because of winter weather and hazardous road conditions. The closures prohibit the use of motorized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, on restricted roads when gates are closed, locked or posted with a closure sign.
Visitors planning to travel on open forest roads during the winter should use caution as conditions can change suddenly.
Whenever you are traveling, plan ahead and know before you go:
- Check weather and road conditions.
- Let someone know where you are going, when you will be returning, and what route you plan to take.
- Use the SFNF motor vehicle use maps that show roads, trails, and lands that are designated for motor vehicle use.
- Pack personal safety supplies – such as water, snacks, and dry clothing – and remember that you may not have cell service in many parts of the forest.
- Dispose of waste properly by “packing it in, packing it out,” which ideally means taking it home with you if trash receptacles on the forest are full.
In the interest of public health and safety, visitors are asked to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and comply with state public health orders to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
