Lincoln National Forest updates fire danger to very high for 4th of July

Juan Corral, Alamogordo Daily News
·2 min read
Lincoln National Forest
Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest raised its fire danger rating to "very high" on June 22.

The U.S. Forest Services said upgrading the risk was one step to prevent wildfires now that summer has hit and Fourth of July is weeks away.

“Very high fires spread rapidly and have a quick increase intensity immediately after ignition." read a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

It expressed the difficulty of controlling fires in those conditions, including small fires that grow to high intensity and result in fire whirls. Fire whirls, similar to tornadoes in shape, are formed by extreme weather conditions leading fire in the vicinity to spiral upward.

More: Prescribed burns planned for Lincoln National Forest. No wildfire risk expected

A very high risk rating does not restrict campfires on Lincoln National Forest. However, visitors who use a campfire or outdoor cooking are advised to drown the site and make sure “the campfire site is cool to the touch.”

Public Relations for Forest Services Amanda Fry said any visitors on Forest Service lands should be mindful of the area they are in when starting a campfire. She said to keep an eye out for tall grass and triple check that fires are being put out.

"We do not have restrictions on campfires as of now but that is always subject to change. Just always be sure the fires are drowned and extinguished," said Fry.

With Fourth of July coming up Lincoln National Forest officials remind visitors that fireworks are not allowed on Forest Service land.

More: Your guide to Fourth of July events in Otero County

"We have had a lot of heat and with Fourth of July around the corner we just want people to be very safe," said Fry. "We will be ramping up our patrols for that day, people will be subject to a pretty hefty fine if found popping fireworks and even jail time. So, it is a serious offense out here for us."

Violators could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, facing up to a $5,000 fine and six months in prison.

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma all have prohibited areas for fireworks, explosives and sparks.

These areas restrict firework use on public lands

New Mexico

  • Carson National Forest

  • Cibola National Forest

  • Gila National Forest

  • Lincoln National Forest

  • Santa Fe National Forest

  • Kiowa National Grasslands

Arizona

  • Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

  • Coconino National Forest

  • Coronado National Forest

  • Kaibab National Forest

  • Prescott National Forest

  • Tonto National Forest

Oklahoma/Texas

  • Black Kettle & McClellan National Grasslands

  • Rita Blanca National Grasslands

People are asked to visit the Lincoln National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln for more information and updates on any changes to campfire restrictions and questions related to Fourth of July.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Fire danger rating 'very high' for Lincoln National Forest