Public Service Announcement: Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts – Stage II Fire Restrictions In Effect
Editor’s note: This is late in coming but worth the time travel. We urge our readers to be safe and take these restrictions very, very seriously.
Albuquerque, NM. May 13, 2013. The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands’ Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will begin Stage II fire restrictions effective 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2013. “Due to ongoing drought conditions and increasing fire danger, these restrictions are necessary to decrease the likelihood of human-caused wildfires and to protect public health and safety,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Joe Norrell. “In addition, the National Weather Service’s outlook has predicted that drought conditions in the region will persist through July,” he added.
Although the districts will be in fire restrictions, there are many activities that can still be enjoyed on the forest, such as picnicking, hiking and camping. All the campgrounds, picnic areas and trails are expected to be open by May 15. However, please use extreme caution when you’re on the forest, as conditions are very dry and wildfires can start from smoldering cigarettes or sparks from engines.
The Cibola works closely with the cities, counties, state, tribal and federal organizations that border the districts to coordinate fire restrictions. “This collaboration helps ensure the public receives consistent information about fire restrictions in their areas,” said Fire Management Officer Bea Day.
Stage II fire restrictions include:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove anywhere on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts.
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 and has a turn-off valve. - Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at 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.
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun.
- Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. They must meet either USDA Forest Service or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
- 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 or overnight parking in Forest Service-developed campgrounds and trailheads.
The following are exempt from Stage II fire orders on public lands managed by the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands:
- Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
- Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Residents, owners and lessees of land, and holders of Forest Service recreation special use authorizations within the restricted area, are exempt from Restriction No. 1 above ONLY, provided such fires are within a permanent structure.
Current fire restrictions for the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands are:
- Mountainair Ranger District: Will begin Stage II Fire Restrictions on May 13, 2013.
- Sandia Ranger District: Will begin Stage II Fire Restrictions on May 13, 2013.
- Mt. Taylor Ranger District: Will begin Stage I Fire Restrictions on May 10, 2013. The district’s personal woodcutting permit season is delayed.
- Magdalena Ranger District: No restrictions.
- Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands: No restrictions.
- Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands: No restrictions.
The Cibola’s fire restrictions can be found at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices
For more information, contact:
Sandia Ranger District: 505.281.3304
Karen Takai; e-mail: ktakai@fs.fed.us
Mountainair Ranger District: 505.847.2990
Arlene Perea; e-mail: atperea@fs.fed.us
Adrian Padilla; e-mail: adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us
Ruth Sutton, Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 505.346.3900; e-mail: rsutton@fs.fed.us
Useful fire websites:
- Cibola National Forest & Grasslands: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola
- Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/
- FireWise: www.firewise.org
- Southwest Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/
- National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov