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Restrictions imposed in Santa Fe National Forest

The Santa Fe National Forest on Monday imposed fire restrictions prohibiting certain activities. The restrictions go into effect Thursday, just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, traditionally one of the busiest in terms of forest visitations.

Campfires will be limited to developed camp and picnic grounds (where grills are provided). Smoking is permitted only in vehicles, enclosed buildings or in developed campgrounds. No campfires will be allowed in Black Canyon Campground below Hyde State Park (near Santa Fe) because of the higher level of fire risk in that area.

"We have reached very high fire danger levels now and have to be extremely careful with fire. This year we've been fortunate, in that resource conditions haven't warranted the need for fire restrictions until now," said Gilbert Zepeda, Santa Fe National Forest supervisor. "We are not closing any areas of the forest at this time. If and when conditions dictate closure, we will phase-in closures of certain high risk areas and do all we can to minimize impacts to communities, visitors and businesses before we'd impose a complete forest closure."

The Valles Caldera National Preserve also will follow the Santa Fe National Forest restrictions, said Dennis Trujillo, preserve manager.

To read a Forest Service news release, click here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

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