Mountainair Ranger District Opening Roads This Week

Mountainair, NM, March 22, 2011: The Mountainair Ranger District will be reopening various roads that have been under winter closures. The roads to be opened include FR 275, FR 422, FR 253 and FR 245 up to New Canyon Campground. Roads to remain closed include FR 321 and FR 245 from New Canyon Campground to Capilla Peak. The road leading to Comanche trailhead on the West side of the Manzano Mountains also remains under a private closure until easement issues can be finalized.

Mountainair Ranger District fire personnel would like to remind everyone that conditions throughout the district remain dry. Fire Danger is currently listed as HIGH trending toward VERY HIGH. There are currently no restrictions in place but everyone is reminded to take extra precautions and follow some basic fire safety rules:

• Make sure that you can have a campfire—obey and cooperate with all fire bans, restrictions and closures;
• If campfires are allowed, use an existing fire ring or clear a campfire site down to bare soil;
• Build a ring out of rocks. Keep the fire under four feet in diameter with no less than a ten foot clearance around it;
• Build the fire away from overhanging branches, steep slopes and dry grass;
• Keep a bucket of water and a shovel near the campfire;
• When putting a campfire out, drown it with water, stir the fire with dirt and more water until all the fuel is cold to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is out cold.
• If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

For road closure information or for any other issues, please contact the
Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.

Thanks - Arlene
Follow us on TWITTER: CIBOLA_NF

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

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Arlene T. Perea

Recreation Tech.

Mountainair Ranger District

P.O. Box 69

Mountainair, NM 87036

(O) 505-847-2990

(F) 505-847-2238

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FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON
SANDIA AND MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICTS


ALBUQUERQUE, July 28, 2010 - Fire restrictions for the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will end Friday, July 30th at 8 a.m. Fire danger has decreased due to moisture and higher humidity over much of the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts. Although restrictions are lifted, visitors are reminded to be careful with campfires and the use of chainsaws.

Campfire safety is still a concern year round. The public is asked to please follow these fire safety precautions when recreating in the forest:

• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, pine needles and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
• Clear the campfire area down to bare soil.
• Keep your campfire safe and small, especially when it’s windy.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.
• Drown all campfires and charcoal with water and dirt, stir until ashes are cold to the touch.
• Do not bury coals as they can smolder and re-ignite later.
• Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving.
• The use of fireworks of any kind is strictly prohibited on all National Forest lands.

When planning a trip to your National Forest, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. For fire restrictions and other fire information for recreation sites in New Mexico, log on to http://www.nmfireinfo.com/ Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm