Sandia Ranger District Closure To Start June 10, 2013
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
The Sandia Ranger District will close the forest on June 10, 2013 due to very high fire danger. The only open areas will be portions of Forest Trail 365 including secondary trails associated with Forest Trail 365, outside of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and South of the Tram. In addition, the Tram, High Finance Restaurant /Deck, the Sandia Ranger District Administrative site and the Tijeras Pueblo Interpretive Trail will remain open.
“Our weather is still trending to be dry and our fuel moistures are at very low levels. With these moistures so low the threat of a large fire is quite high. We need to make sure human starts do not happen and that means keeping people out of the forest until fire risk has lessened. We also need to make sure there are no visitors in the back country area if something did start. We would not be able to rescue you. So, please stay out! ” Matt Rau, Fire Management Officer, Sandia RD.
Fines are being strictly enforced. A single person entering closed areas or using open fire in any manner will be cited up to $5,000 and up to 6 months in jail and for a group fines up to $10,000 and or up to 6 months in jail.
Stage III Fire Closure Restrictions include: Entering Closure Areas by vehicle, hiking, running, horseback riding, motorcycles, roller blades, or flying in.
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In the Foot hill trail system (which will still be open) as defined in the first paragraph the following restrictions stand.
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove fire
- Using an explosive
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building
- Possession, discharging or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device
- Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame
The current Fire Restriction orders can be found on the Cibola’s web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola in the “Alerts and Notices” section.