Lack of rain and increased fires lead to restrictions in Lincoln National Forest
Increased fire activity and dry conditions prompted fire restrictions on the Lincoln National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Restrictions implemented April 19 came nearly a week after two brush fires burned nearly 6,500 acres in Lincoln County.
The McBride Fire in Ruidoso burned 6,159 acres and was 84 percent contained as of April 20 and the Nogal Fire near Capitan burned 412 acres and was 70 percent contained as of April 20, per information from the Forest Service.
More: Carlsbad happy to assist relief efforts amid Ruidoso wildfires
The following are prohibited under Stage One Fire Restrictions:
Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal grills and briquettes, except in a Forest Service-provided fire structure within developed campgrounds and day-use areas. Propane grills, stoves, and lanterns with an on/off switch are still permitted.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on National Forests.
“Fire officials use several criteria to determine when to modify fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moistures, fire activity, and available firefighting resources. These restrictions reduce the risk of unwanted human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions,” said Fire Staff Officer David Bales in a news release.
Fire danger was high in the Smokey Bear Ranger District in Lincoln County, the Sacramento Ranger District in Otero County and the Guadalupe Ranger District in Eddy County as of April 20.
More dry and windy weather was forecast for southeast New Mexico said Scott Kleebauer, from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Midland, Texas.
More: Carlsbad Caverns implements fire restrictions due to high to extreme fire danger
He said no rain was predicted for the next five days and the fire danger could persist into New Mexico’s rainy or Monsoon season which starts June 15 and ends Sept. 30.
“We’re stuck in a hole. There is nothing in the foreseeable future,” Kleebauer said.
He asked people refrain from outdoor burning during dry and windy days.
The Forest Service announced the New Mexico and Arizona region entered into Level Four preparedness as both states experienced numerous complex wildfires requiring incident management teams and a significant number of wildland resources were committed to extinguishing fires, a Forest Service news release indicated.
More: Carlsbad happy to assist relief efforts amid Ruidoso wildfires
Fire restrictions were not limited to the Lincoln National Forest, said City of Carlsbad Fire Chief Richard Lopez.
He said fire restrictions were in place in the city limits and the City of Carlsbad Fire Department would monitor activity throughout the year.
"This includes no bonfires, no burning your yard, no burning trash and, during red flag days, no open burning at all," Lopez said.
Eddy County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) Chief Joshua Mack said fire restrictions were not planned for unincorporated areas of Eddy County at this time.
"We hope to continue communicating and partnering with the community to safely mitigate the hazards," he said.
Mack suggested Eddy County residents should call the Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority (REDA) at 575-616-7155 or follow ECFR on Facebook for burning recommendations based on weather forecasts.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Lincoln National Forest implements stage one fire restrictions
