Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Carson National Forest Has Entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Taos, N.M., June 22, 2011 — High fire danger has prompted the Carson National Forest to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions effective at 8:00 am, Friday, June 24, 2011.

Stage 2 fire restrictions include the following:

• No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, wood or charcoal burning stove or grill in dispersed areas. Propane & white gas stoves and grills are allowed in Developed Recreation Sites only.
• Smoking is allowed only in vehicles or inside buildings.
• No possession or discharging of any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device. Fireworks are always banned from the National Forest
• No use of any explosives.
• No chainsaw use or other internal/external combustion engine use between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.
• 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.
• No motor vehicle use off-road on federal lands, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. This includes ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles. The Track Fire was thought to have started by an off-roading ATV.
• Violating any state law, that specifically concerns burning, fires, or that which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
• 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.

The Jicarilla District will remain in Stage 1 restrictions.

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.