City to Close Many Hike-Bike Trails Due To Fire Danger

 Sigh. Just got this.

 

City to Close Select Trails Due to

Extreme Fire Conditions

Emergency Proclamation Effective May 28, 2022

SANTA FE, May 26, 2022 — Mayor Alan Webber will issue Emergency Orders proclaiming extreme fire conditions and closing select City trails due to fire danger effective Saturday, May 28, 2022. Pursuant to the proclamation, the Orders complement federal and County actions and restrictions; the Santa Fe National Forest is closed and the County has closed trails that lead to the Forest. City trailheads will be marked as closed with signs and, where appropriate, with ropes.    The Santa Fe Fire Department reports that hot, dry, windy conditions forecast for the weekend indicate the necessity of taking precautionary measures to protect life and property in Santa Fe from the extreme fire danger that the United States Forest Service has declared for the region. The danger of range fires, grass fires, forest fires, and structure fires are very high or extremely high in and around the city of Santa Fe.   Mayor Alan Webber says: “We’re facing unprecedented fire dangers and for that reason I’m asking everyone to take extra precautions. We can all still enjoy the Memorial Day weekend and the summer season as long as we all put fire safety first.” Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya says: “I’ve never seen such extreme fire conditions so early—the winds came in big, the fuel loads are heavy, and the drought conditions are extraordinary. Parts of these closed trails are remote and difficult to access, which can increase the amount of time it would take to respond to an emergency. All of those factors went into this decision. I’m also reminding the public to observe the fire restrictions that are in place—no open burning and no fireworks!”   The following trails and trails systems will be closed: The Dale Ball Trails (which are accessed off of Hyde Park Road, Cerro Gordo Road, Upper Canyon Road, and Camino Cruz Blanca, including the Atalaya and Dorothy Stewart trails);  The Sun Mountain Trail; La Tierra Trails; MX/BMX trails at La Tierra and the Metropolitan Recreation Complex (MRC)   While the existing fires do not put the city of Santa Fe at immediate risk, new fires can be easily started in the city’s vegetated open spaces through irresponsible human use, such as discarded cigarettes, sparks from vehicles and machinery, and behavior or actions that could cause a fire incident to break out.    To prevent fires, the City is also under Fire Restrictions that were implemented in March. The following are prohibited within city limits while the restrictions are in place: Smoking in public parks, recreation areas, or on any public trail;  Using charcoal barbecue grills in public parks and recreation areas; The sale or use of some fireworks within the city of Santa Fe  Open burning, including campfires, bonfires, pit barbecues; Burning of weeds, trash, or other vegetation; Using any motorized all-terrain vehicle or motorcycles on city owned open space, parks, trails, or other recreational areas

While the trails and open spaces listed above are closed, the Mayor’s Proclamation encourages residents and visitors to utilize the City’s robust network of inner-city trails, open spaces, parks, and recreation centers.

 

Click here for a map of trails that remain accessible and suitable for biking, hiking, and dog-walking.

 

Of course, the fires are seeming to follow me around. Pic taken yesterday at the south end of the improved Rail Trail at  Spur Ranch Road.

So what else can a mountainbike do? I threw on these Mavic Speed City hoops to find out.