ALBUQUERQUE, NM, May 18, 2022 – To better provide for public and firefighter safety due to extreme fire conditions in parts of New Mexico, beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Santa Fe and Carson national forests will implement forest-wide closure orders, and the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement a closure order for the Sandia, Mt. Taylor, and Mountainair ranger districts. The closures will remain in effect until July 18, 2022, unless rescinded earlier based on conditions. This date replaces the termination date indicated in an initial release yesterday, which was December 31, 2022. The new closure date reflects a timeframe closer to potential monsoon weather, and the closures will be revaluated at that time.
“We do not take these decisions lightly and understand how these closures impact visitors, communities, and local businesses,” said Regional Forester Michiko Martin. “With the extreme conditions and unprecedented fire growth we have seen in the past several weeks, these temporary closures are necessary to reduce the potential for new fire starts to protect the public, firefighters, and the natural resources. It is our intent to to reopen these national forests as soon as it is safe. I want to thank all New Mexicans and national forest visitors for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.”
More than 728 wildfires have burned 492,600 acres across the USDA Forest Service’s Southwestern Region. The region has been at preparedness level 4 since April 19, 2022, due to increasing fire activity, elevated fire behavior, mobilization of incident management teams, and deployment of firefighting resources.
Violations of the forest order carry a mandatory appearance in federal court and are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Stay up to date on forest news by checking our websites: Santa Fe National Forest, Carson National Forest and Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.