Public Land Status

[toastyjosh]

Bad Behavior on the Santa Fe National Forest –
Too Many Visitors Ignore Campfire Ban, Locked Toilets​

SANTA FE, NM – April 24, 2020 – Despite the campfire ban that went into effect on April 15 for all five national forests in New Mexico, patrols on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) last weekend found illegal campfires from the Jemez Mountains to Pecos Canyon. Too many of those campfires were not properly extinguished, and an abandoned campfire jumped the fire ring and started a wildfire that required firefighter response.

Law enforcement and recreation patrols reported additional examples of visitor misuse, including garbage left behind and piles of human waste outside locked toilet facilities.

“The health and safety of our employees and the public remain our top priority in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Forest Supervisor James Melonas said. “That priority is severely compromised when members of the public ignore the campfire ban, when the irresponsible few leave trash and ignore the basics of public hygiene.”

Managers on the SFNF understand that many people are seeking solace in the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with recreation opportunities come responsibilities. While most visitors follow current health guidelines and recreate responsibly, the few who don’t endanger themselves and others.

• In addition to the campfire ban, the Forest Service has implemented closure orders in alignment with federal guidance and state public health orders to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although the forest remains open to the public, social distancing and restrictions on group size still apply. As a reminder, at this time:
• All developed campgrounds on the SFNF are closed to overnight camping.
• All toilet facilities on the forest are locked.
• Campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood burning stoves are prohibited.
• Some picnic/day use sites are closed to the public.
• Trash collection is suspended. Please take your garbage home.
• If you plan to visit the national forest, please be considerate of others, including the residents of gateway communities like Jemez Springs, Cuba and Pecos. Avoid unnecessary exposure and follow the rules and guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay up to date on closures and other news by checking the SFNF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.​

 

[AwgustLab]

FS Road 144 is open now, as well as some others.

 

[krazykat69]

FS Road 144 is open now, as well as some others.

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[2manycruisers]

This is primarily corona virus. The regional forester instituted campfire bans on all national forests in AZ and NM within days. That would never happen, except they are concerned about how to handle fires and keep firefighters safe from covid-19 since they work close together and in unsanitary conditions.

It's a combo of both, actually. We're entering into the dry/windy season and normally enter into a fire ban around late spring until the start of monsoon season. I've rec'd red flag days which is high fire danger for my area so this latest snow fall was awesome in this regard.

 

[toastyjosh]

Drying Trend, Human Carelessness Raise Wildfire Potential
across Santa Fe National Forest​

SANTA FE, NM – May 7, 2020 – An ongoing drying trend across the 1.6 million acres of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) combined with continued negligence by a small number of forest visitors have fire managers concerned about an early start to the 2020 fire season.

Despite the campfire ban that went into effect on April 15, fire patrols on the first weekend in May reported 11 abandoned campfires, and law enforcement officers ticketed multiple illegal campfires. Fortunately, none of the prohibited campfires got out of control.

But with low fuel moisture levels and other indices pushing most of the state into high fire danger and a large number of quarantine-weary visitors on the forest, the risk of human-caused wildfire is rising.

“We understand why people are desperate for outdoor recreation right now, but we are also very mindful of current fire indices and drought conditions on the forest,” Forest Supervisor James Melonas said. “This fire season, containing the spread of COVID-19 is a significant addition to our focus on safety. Human-caused fires put our firefighters and our communities at unnecessary risk."

Patrols last weekend also reported overcrowded day use and dispersed camping sites in violation of state public health orders on group size and social distancing. In addition to the campfire ban, the Forest Service has implemented closure orders in alignment with federal guidance and state public health orders to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although the forest remains open to the public, social distancing and restrictions on group size still apply. As a reminder, at this time:

• All developed campgrounds on the SFNF are closed to overnight camping.
• All toilet facilities on the forest are locked.
• Campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood burning stoves are prohibited.
• Some picnic/day use sites are closed to the public.
• Trash collection is suspended. Please take your garbage home.
• Guidance from the New Mexico Department of Health is to stay home and save lives. If you do plan to visit the national forest, please recreate responsibly and be considerate of others, including the residents of gateway communities like Jemez Springs, Cuba and Pecos. Avoid unnecessary exposure, wear a mask, and follow the rules and guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay up to date on closures and other news by checking the SFNF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.
• # # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender

 

[pappy]

"The Gila National Forest will be reopening three more developed recreation areas - they are the restrooms at Snow Lake on the Reserve Ranger District, the Mogollon Box Day Use Area, and the Emory Pass Vista restrooms on the Black Range Ranger District. For more information: "

Gila National Forest - News & Events

Gila National Forest - News & Events

www.fs.usda.gov

 

[pappy]

I changed the title of the thread to make it more inclusive to current events outside of COVID-19.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests going to Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
• 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 cleared of vegetation and flammable material.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Driving off designated roads. Visitors may park in areas cleared of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in designated parking areas.
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The so-called “hoot owl” provision is a historic term that was used to notify woodcutters they could only cut during the morning hours when they could hear owls in the forest. Today, the restriction reduces the risk of an accidental fire start by mechanical equipment during the hottest, driest part of the day. Fuelwood permit holders may still collect wood as long as the chainsaws are off by 10 a.m.
• Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on national forests.

Northern New Mexico National Forests to Implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

SANTA FE, NM – May 14, 2020 – The Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, to reduce the risk of human-caused wild…

nmfireinfo.com

 

[pappy]

Fire restrictions on BLM-NM. Camp fires, fireworks, smoking no bueno. Camp stoves OK.

Programs: Public Safety and Fire: Fire and Aviation: Regional Information: New Mexico: Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management

www.blm.gov

 

[alia176]

Fire restrictions on BLM-NM. Camp fires, fireworks, smoking no bueno. Camp stoves OK.

Programs: Public Safety and Fire: Fire and Aviation: Regional Information: New Mexico: Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management

www.blm.gov

So, I was at the Tijeras post office few days back and saw that a customer picked up a large box which contained a propane fire fit. The employee said that there must've been a mondo sale on these things as he saw bunch of these come through. The customer said that they are having $60 off on the portable fire fit but I didn't hear from what website.

 

[thegadgetguy]

I changed the title of the thread to make it more inclusive to current events outside of COVID-19.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests going to Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Northern New Mexico National Forests to Implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

SANTA FE, NM – May 14, 2020 – The Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, to reduce the risk of human-caused wild…

nmfireinfo.com

So by "stove fire" that means camp cooking stoves?

 

[pappy]

So by "stove fire" that means camp cooking stoves?

Fuel stoves with a shut off.

 

[alia176]

Fuel stoves with a shut off.

We're trying to avoid creating burning embers that fly around and land on dry fuel which causes wildfires.

 

[toastyjosh]

Santa fe NF goes stage 2 today.

 

[pappy]

I'm glad to see Colorado finally gets it.

 

[pappy]

Gila NF fire ban rescinded.

 

[toastyjosh]

Same on the Santa fe

 

[ststephen69s]

Anyone organizing a camping weekend soon?

 

[toastyjosh]

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Wednesday​

SANTA FE, NM – July 27, 2020 – With the onset of the summer monsoons and decreasing fire danger, the Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests are rescinding Stage 2 fire restrictions, including the ban on campfires, at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

The forests implemented Stage 2 restrictions, which also included a “hoot owl” provision prohibiting chainsaws between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., on May 20 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire at a time when fire indices were spiking.

Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to lift fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. The arrival of monsoonal moisture has eased the dry conditions that led to restrictions and lowered fire danger to low.

Now that campfires are again allowed on Northern New Mexico national forests, fire managers remind the public that abandoned campfires are still the leading cause of human-caused wildfires. Forest visitors are urged to follow campfire safety procedures. It is every camper’s responsibility to properly maintain and extinguish a campfire to prevent wildfires.

Campfire guidelines:

• Never cut whole trees or branches, dead or alive. Live materials will not burn and dead standing trees, snags, are often homes for birds and other wildlife.
• Do not burn aerosol cans, pressurized containers, glass or aluminum cans. They could explode, shatter and/or create harmful fumes.
• Keep the fire to a manageable size.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.

Ensure campfire is fully extinguished:

• Allow wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
• Pour water on the fire. Drown all embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sound stops.
• If water is not available, stir dirt or sand into the embers with a shovel to bury the fire.
• Scrape any remaining sticks and logs with a shovel to remove any embers.
• Continue adding water, dirt, or sand and stir with a shovel until all material is cool.
• If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Violators of regulations that prohibit abandoning a campfire are subject to a fine and/or imprisonment. If an abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, violators can also be held responsible for fire suppression costs.

The order lifting Stage 2 fire restrictions will be posted under Alerts and Notices on the Santa Fe National Forest website. Stay up to date on closures and other news by checking the SFNF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

# # #​

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

 

[Mauser]

El Rito Campground closed because some people suck.

El Rito Campground in Carson National Forest closed until further notice

 

[pappy]

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Santa Fe National Forest.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites or picnic areas where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided for use. Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites.

Stoves, lanterns and heaters fueled by propane or other liquified petroleum fuels may be used if they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Propane devices require an area at least 3 feet in diameter that has been cleared of flammable materials.

Santa Fe National Forest Implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

SANTA FE, NM – Aug. 24, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during consistent drought conditions, histor…

nmfireinfo.com