SFNF News:
SANTA FE — As we gather to honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day weekend and into the summer, support firefighters and protect your community by preventing additional wildfire ignitions.
We are experiencing historic levels of fire danger, and restrictions and closures are in place in many areas across the state to prevent wildfires. Many public lands are either in elevated levels of restrictions or are closed to public access entirely.
This month, you can do your part by learning about restrictions and area closures across the state before you plan your weekend and summer activities or any recreation on public lands.
The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), in cooperation with partners, is asking visitors to please recreate responsibly and help prevent human-caused wildfire ignitions. Continuing our “wildfire preparedness is year-round” campaign, our message for June is Know Before You Go!
Here are a few things to keep in mind in planning your outdoor activities:
Always check for fire restrictions and closures in the area you plan to visit BEFORE you leave.
The specifics may vary but generally restrictions are implemented in stages:
Stage 1: Prohibits:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site;
- 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;
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. Be aware that fireworks are always prohibited on federal lands in NM.
Stage 2: Prohibits:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove in any location;
- Smoking, except in a vehicle or enclosed building;
- Using fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices;
- Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine (is usually restricted to cooler and more humid morning hours);
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order;
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame;
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads on federal lands, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway: and
- Violating any state law, that specifically concerns burning, fires, or that which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
Stage 3: is a closure that prohibits entering upon public lands due to the extreme fire danger or the threat to public health and safety from an ongoing wildfire.
Prior to traveling, even short distances, do a 360 walk-around and make sure your vehicle is ready to travel, that tires and brakes are in good working order and that you are not dragging chains. It is not commonly known that vehicles can emit particles from the exhaust or pieces of a failing catalytic converter that start roadside fires. The best prevention method is good vehicle maintenance. Once enroute, ensure that all smoking-related materials are safely disposed of and do not park on dry grass. Be prepared by carrying a fire extinguisher and a shovel in your vehicle should you accidentally start a fire.
The SFNF is working with the Cibola and Carson National Forests, Forest Stewards Guild, Fire Adapted NM, New Mexico Forestry Division, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management New Mexico to continue our wildfire preparedness calendar in 2022 and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.
