Some areas of the Carson National Forest return to Stage 2 fire restrictions

Taos, N.M., July 22, 2011 — The Carson National Forest will reduce fire restrictions to Stage 2 effective at noon., Friday, July 22, 2011 on the El Rito, Canjilon, Tres Piedras and Questa ranger districts. The Camino Real District will remain in Stage 3, in coordination with its neighboring Santa Fe National Forest districts, the Pecos/Las Vegas and the Española ranger districts.

The Camino Real District runs from roughly the Taos-Angel Fire corridor south to near Truchas and Holman. The Jicarilla District near Farmington will remain at Stage 1. Stage 2 fire restrictions include the following: No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or wood or charcoal burning stove or grill. Smoking is allowed only in vehicles or inside buildings.

No use of any explosives. No chainsaw use or other internal/external combustion engine use between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. All internal or external combustion engines must have a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order. No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. Camp stoves are only allowed in developed campgrounds.

No motor vehicle use off-road on federal lands, except when parking in an area clear of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. This includes ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles. Violating any state law, that specifically concerns burning, fires, or that which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire. Fireworks are always banned on National Forest lands.

Violations of these regulations is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or both. Stage 3 restrictions for the Camino Real District prohibit all activities including hiking, biking, and horsebackriding except for visitors to the Tres Ritos and La Junta summer homes, the Tres Ritos Boy Scout Camp and the Sipapu Ski Area Lodge. Stage 1 restrictions for the Jicarilla do not allow campfires or charcoal stoves except in developed campsites where grills and fire rings are provided. Smoking is only allowed in vehicles and buildings or areas clear of vegetation. For more information call 1-877-864-6985 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson or www.nmfireinfo.com for all State and Federal recreation sites in New Mexico. -