National Forest lifts ban on fires

Recent rains dampen blaze concerns

The Santa Fe National Forest will lift restrictions on campfires and smoking at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 28, because recent rains have dampened fears of wildfires.

The U.S. Forest Service imposed the fire restrictions July 15 when hot, dry conditions persisted into the monsoon, the season in which afternoon rains are typically common over the mountains of Northern New Mexico.

In a statement Wednesday, officials said the rainfall had lessened fire danger from “high” or “very high” to “moderate.”

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves were allowed only in developed campsites and picnic areas across the 1.6 million-acre forest.

Smoking was permitted only at developed recreation sites, in enclosed vehicles or in buildings.

A spokeswoman said U.S. Forest Service officers issued about 20 misdemeanor citations while the restrictions were in effect.

“We want to thank our visitors over the last two weeks for complying with Stage I fire restrictions and helping us reduce fire danger by foregoing campfires in dispersed camping areas,” said Maria T. Garcia of the Forest Service.

The agency determines fire restrictions based on weather, moisture, the availability of firefighting crews and other factors.

“Campfires are the leading human cause of wildfire, and fire restrictions are sometimes necessary for public safety and the protection of natural resources,” Garcia said. “We are pleased that current conditions make it an appropriate time to lift the restrictions before the upcoming weekend.”

Even so, the Forest Service is still urging caution around

campfires and other potential ignition sources for forest fires.

Abandoning a campfire remains punishable with a fine or jail time. If an abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, campers also can be held responsible for fire suppression costs.

Crews in the Santa Fe National Forest are monitoring a couple of small lightning-caused fires burning less than 1 acre, according to spokeswoman Julie Anne Overton, but wildfires have diminished in Northern New Mexico with recent showers and thunderstorms.

“Things started to change for the better,” meteorologist Todd Shoemake of the National Weather Service said.

But Shoemake added that the outlook is bleaker for the remainder of the week, cautioning that dry air from the Northwest will diminish chances for rain. Though the National Weather Service forecasts a chance of thunderstorms for each day through the weekend, he said precipitation may not be as widespread as earlier in the week.

Weather patterns could shift next week, with high pressure weakening over the state to allow more thunderstorms as moisture flows from the subtropics, Shoemake said. That would more closely resemble the typical monsoon weather patterns. But Shoemake added that the area will still have received less rain than normal.