Archive for May 16, 2011
Press Release: Full Closure On Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – May 16, 2011, The Mountainair Ranger District hits Extreme Fire Danger Levels. Fire officials have been monitoring and evaluating the current fuel moistures in anticipation for full forest closure starting this week. The criteria used for evaluating the closure includes safety and concerns for our communities, forest users, employees, firefighters and protection of our natural resources. Extremely low fuel moistures, winds, temperatures, low humidities and drying winds are factors evaluated to support full forest closure. These factors can result in high fire danger and rapid fire growth. Additional fire resources (engines, firefighters etc.) have arrived at the Mountainair RD to support and enforce closures. Due to the increase of Fire Danger, the District will go into full closure beginning, Wednesday May 18th at 8:00am.
Signs will be placed along highways and flyers will be posted throughout the communities to remind the public that the Manzano & Gallinas Mountains are closed. The use of all campgrounds, day use picnic areas, and trails on the District will be prohibited. All National Forest System Roads on the District will be closed; State and county roads through the District will remain open. If traveling State and county roads within the boundaries of the Mountainair District, do not stop along the roads.
The Manzano and Gallinas Mountains will remain closed to the public until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the extremely dry conditions and reduce the risk of wildfire. To report a fire, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-505-346-2660 or Dial 911.
For further information on the closure and the extreme fire danger, contact Adrian Padilla or Arlene Perea at 505-847-2990 or email adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or atperea@fs.fed.us.