Stage-two fire restrictions in effect Friday, 10 June, in Santa Fe National Forest

 For you mountainbikers and hikers out there. FYI

SF Forest, Valles Caldera Going To Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

By Journal Staff Report on Tue, Jun 7, 2011

The ongoing drought and increasing wildfire danger has prompted tougher fire restrictions for the Santa Fe National Forest and the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

On Friday, both the national forest and the preserve will move to Stage 2 restrictions — meaning no campfires at all, even in developed campgrounds. The new rules stop short of any closures of forest areas.
The new restrictions apply to all wilderness areas including the Chama River Canyon Wilderness, Dome Wilderness, Pecos Wilderness and San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
The forests previously have been under Stage I restrictions, which ban smoking outside of vehicles or buildings, fireworks and campfires outside of developed sites.
The Stage 2 restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove fire.
• Using an explosive.
• Smoking, except inside a vehicle or building.
• Possession, discharging or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device.
• Possessing or operating motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and ATVs, off National Forest System roads.
• Operating a chain saw or other tools or equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with open flames.

Violations are punishable by fines of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and imprisonment for up to six months.

For other information, go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/ or http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/ or http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php

Or call 505-438-5300.