The Lincoln National Forest is planning to implement Stage II Fire Restrictions on the Guadalupe Ranger District, effective April 21st, 2013, at 8:00 am.
STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS include the following prohibitions:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove; Exceptions: The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, propane grills, or heating devices is allowed, provided such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specification for safety.
2.Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building;
3.Using an explosive;
4.Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun;
5.Possession, discharging, or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device;
6.Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm;
7.Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame;
8.Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order meeting either:
a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
b. Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice;
9.Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway; and except for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads;
10. Violating any state law concerning burning, fires, or which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
EXEMPTIONS - The following 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.
3. Generators that are specifically designed by the manufacturer to be used within, and are used within, an enclosed recreational vehicle such as a motorhome or travel trailer.
In the past two weeks, the Fire Danger Rating for the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts has been elevated to “HIGH,” however there are no fire restrictions on these two districts at this time. “Based on differences in elevation, vegetation, and varying precipitation amounts between the Guadalupe Ranger District, and both the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts, conditions are more extreme in the low country currently. These conditions prompted the action to start the Stage II fire restrictions,” said Troy Hagan, Deputy Fire Staff for the Lincoln National Forest. “As the season progresses, constant evaluation and monitoring of local fuel conditions continues, and results will be recorded and used to track trends which may validate the need for further actions in fire prevention measures. These may include additional fire restrictions in the future. Discussions are ongoing, both internally and with our partners,” Hagan added.
Current information regarding fire restrictions will be posted onhttp://firerestrictions.us/ this link can also be accessed via http://nmfireinfo.com/ and the Lincoln’s website www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest