Forest closures

“Sounds like the National Forests in New Mexico may be closed by Memorial Day:

http://www.sfnewmexican.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=3992125&BRD=2144&PAG=461&dept_id=367954&rfi=8

Drought might force closure of national forests

By JONATHAN McDONALD/The New Mexican April 30, 2002

Without rain, New Mexico's national forests might be closed to the public by Memorial Day, said State Forester Toby Martinez.

"That's the trajectory we're on," said Martinez, who appeared Monday at a state Legislative Finance Committee meeting to brief lawmakers on fire dangers throughout the state.

Campfires have already been outlawed in New Mexico's national forests. A ban on open fires in the Carson National Forest took effect Monday. Santa Fe National Forest banned campfires in late March.

Open-fires on state-owned lands were banned in early April.

Dolores Maese, a spokeswoman for the Santa Fe National Forest, said cooler temperatures, cloudy skies and higher humidity in the last few days have helped, but the lack of moisture continues to be troublesome.

"We're all praying for rain," Maese said. She said any closures that take place will be done after careful examination of conditions in specific areas of the state.

For example, Maese said the south-facing areas of the Jemez Mountains are much drier than the forests around Las Vegas and Mora.

"It's a big decision when we're talking about closures," she said. A meeting of the forest services' district fire managers is scheduled for later this week. Maese said the possibility of closures is on the agenda for that meeting.

Martinez told state legislators that one ray of hope in the 2002 fire season is the dramatic reduction in the number of fires started by people.

Between the first of the year and mid-April, there were 180 human-caused wildfires in New Mexico that have burned a total of 6,100 acres of land, Martinez said.

During the same period of time in 2000, there were 360 human-ignited fires that burned 214,000 acres of land, the forester reported.

"The wake-up call of the Cerro Grande (fire) ... certainly made a lot of difference," Martinez said.

He also said that the wildfire-preparations made this year by counties and cities have helped raise awareness of the dangers of fire.

The Cerro Grande fire was the conflagration that burned out of control in 2000 and destroyed about 200 structures in Los Alamos.

"If we don't have ignitions, we will do just fine this fire season," Martinez said.”

“What did Smokey the Bear always used to say????

8)”

“"Only You..."”

“Ya thats right!

He is one cool bear!

8)”

“Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute.

Help keep America...looking good!”

“Dalton fire is suspicious. No lightning strikes around here! ABQ hasn't had rain since 4/7”

“The Forest Supervisor, Leonard Atencio, announced it last night. The Santa Fe National Forest is closed for the forseeable future to all uses (except cattle grazing). No hiking, no camping. Bandelier National Mounument is expected to close to the public today.”

“Yeah, I saw that. Fire danger, pray for rain.”

“I want the rights of a'COW',isn't that where the 'buffalo roam.....................roamed?DO those cows have a 'Dubya brand on them?'”