Stage II fire restrictions effective May 11 for all lands administered

  • Published
  • By Lincoln National Forest
  • Public Affairs
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. --  Uniform fire restrictions will be in place on the Lincoln National Forest, effective May 11, 2013, at 8 a.m. Stage II Fire Restrictions for the entire Forest are detailed under Order No. 08-253. A summary of the fire restrictions is listed below:

STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS include the following prohibitions:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove; Exceptions: The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, propane grills, or heating devices is allowed, provided such devices meet the fire underwriter's specification for safety.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building;
3. Using an explosive;
4. Possession, discharging, or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device;
5. Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 am to 9:00 pm;
6. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame;
7. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order meeting either:
a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
b. Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice;
8. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway; and except for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads;
9. Violating any state law concerning burning, fires, or which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.

EXEMPTIONS - The following are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
2. Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Generators that are specifically designed by the manufacturer to be used within, and are used within, an enclosed recreational vehicle such as a motorhome or travel trailer.

Stage II fire restrictions will apply to all Lincoln National Forest lands. The fire danger rating ranges from "HIGH" to "VERY HIGH" across the three districts, Smokey Bear, Sacramento and Guadalupe. Any violation of the fire restriction order is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or imprisonment for not more than six months.

Forest visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution and "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" - to make sure you know if and where fire restrictions are in effect before you venture outdoors. This fire season, State and Federal land management agencies within the "Southwest Area" will use a new interagency website: Firerestrictions.us as a primary tool to communicate fire restriction and closure information. (The "Southwest Area" includes: Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle).

Current information regarding fire restrictions can be found at http://firerestrictions.us/ this link can also be accessed via http://nmfireinfo.com/ and the Lincoln's website www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest