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Large plumes of smoke from the Capulin and Molina fires can be seen from Los Alamos as shown in this photo Tuesday afternoon from NM 502 near San Ildefonso Pueblo. The fires have burned about 6,300 acres and a Type II fire management incident response team is managing the fire.

Fire restrictions increased in Santa Fe National Forest

Stage two fire restrictions went into effect Wednesday in the Santa Fe National Forest and the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

"Fire conditions have changed drastically this past week approaching 'extreme' fire conditions in the forest. Fire restrictions have been stepped up to stage two until the monsoons set in," said Gilbert Zepeda acting forest supervisor for the Santa Fe National Forest.

Areas under stage two restrictions include: Coyote Ranger District, including the Chama River Canyon Wilderness; Cuba Ranger District; Jemez Ranger District, including the Dome Wilderness; Valles Caldera National Preserve; Española Ranger District; and the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District west of the Pecos River and south of Terrero.

Stage two fire restrictions include prohibition of

• Campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stoves (no campfires in developed campgrounds or in dispersed recreation areas)
• 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 barren or cleared of all flammable material
• Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device
• Using an explosive
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine
• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off forest system roads, federal or state highways, or county roads within the Santa Fe National Forest except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway; and except for parking overnight in developed campgrounds and at trailheads.

In the meantime, fire fighters continue to battle a fire located three miles west of Redondo Peak in the Pecos Wilderness of the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.

Shifting winds that blew smoke south into Santa Fe turned the sunset a orange-pink tint Monday evening as shown in the photo taken from the city's south side. To gauge the health hazards of smoke, the Forest Service and other agencies are testing air quality through different methods in Santa Fe, Española and other areas. Forest Service personnel are monitoring particulate matter, which is the level of dust, smoke, and ash particles in the air. They have set up monitoring in Cerro Piñon, northwest of the fire, to examine smoke concentrations in the area. Photos by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs

Two fires, the Capulin Fire, currently at 5,871 acres, and the Molina fire at 437 acres were first reported on June 23. The fires do not threaten communities, residents or structures.

Effective immediately, Laboratory managers also have closed all Lab-controlled wilderness areas to all nonwork-related activities as a result of extreme fire danger, lingering severe drought conditions, pine beetle infestation and lack of available fire fighting resources. For more information see the July 14 Daily Newsbulletin.

Additional fire information can be obtained at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire online. For other fire restrictions on public lands in the southwest, call toll free 1-877-864-6985. To report a fire, call (505) 438-7800.

-- Kathryn Ostic

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