Cibola National Forest Announces Partial Closures
by John Weckerle
Beginning today, portions of the Sandia District of Cibola National Forest will be closed, and other areas will be subject to additional restrictions in response to potentially hazardous fire conditions. South of I-40, biking, biking, and motorized vehicles are now prohibited in the back-country and on all trails, and only the Pine Flat Picnic Ground and Cedro Group Campground are open. Only cold picnics are allowed; no campfires, charcoal, or stoves are permitted.
North of I-40, no fires or charcoal are permitted, but some stoves, lanterns and heaters may be used. Smoking is allowed in vehicles only, and no motorized vehicles may be used off roads. No areas are yet closed north of I-40 because conditions are less dry than in the south, but additional restrictions may be expected if dry weather continues. It should be noted that there are no predictions of substantial probability of rain in the next seven days. For more information, read the Forest Service notice.