ALAMOGORDO, NM – Recent, although spotty rain showers in southern New Mexico have been a welcome change resulting in a lessened risk associated with fire danger. Overall, the precipitation and higher humidity has had a direct effect on the fire danger rating which had been ranging between Very High to Extreme. The current rating is described as “HIGH.” In response to the current conditions, the Lincoln National Forest will be scaling the fire restrictions back. Stage I Fire Restrictions will go into effect on Friday, July 12th at 8:00 am.
STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS include the following prohibitions:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grills, coal, wood or stove; except in Forest Service designated recreation sites and campgrounds where grills and fire rings are provided:
Smokey Bear Ranger District
• Oak Grove Campground
• Three Rivers Campground
• Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground in Cedar Creek
• Cedar Creek Picnic Area
• Skyline Campground
Sacramento Ranger District
• Trestle Recreation Area
• James Canyon Campground
• Karr Canyon Campground
• Upper Karr Campground
• Sleepy Grass Day Use Area
Guadalupe Ranger District
· Sitting Bull Falls Picnic Area
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.
3.Possessing, discharging, or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device.
EXEMPTIONS - The following are exempt from this order:
1.Person with a permit that authorizes actions specifically prohibited by this order.
2.Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Residence owners and lessees/permittees of land and holders of Forest Service Special Use authorizations within the restricted area are exempt from Prohibition No. 1 (above); provided such fires are within a permanent structure.
Violation 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 months or both.
“On behalf of the Lincoln National Forest, we would like to thank the public and all Forest visitors for observing and complying with the fire restrictions this summer. Your support has been a tremendous value to the fire prevention effort. Keeping the number of human-caused fires to a minimum is something that we can all work on together. Please continue to be safe and vigilant and thank you for your cooperation,” said Travis Moseley, Forest Supervisor.
Current information regarding fire restrictions will be posted on http://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