Dry times for area outdoor lovers
At 8 a.m. Friday, the Santa Fe National Forest will shut down. The news we’ve been expecting has been delivered by James Melonas, supervisor of the Santa Fe National Forest. Stage 3 fire restrictions start Friday, which means today is the last opportunity to hike or spend time in the national forest until the threat of wildfire fades.
That the forest is being closed is an indication of just how dry it has become. It’s no surprise, as nearly 100 percent of New Mexico faces either drought or abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. government’s Drought Monitor. The entire population of the state is now affected.
Locally, dry conditions have prompted Stage 3 fire restrictions, meaning that access to forest roads, trails and campgrounds will be off limits for the first time since 2013. People, stay home, in other words.
While we are sorry to lose access to the forests and mountain trails, the move by Melonas is understandable, even welcome. We cannot afford to have a careless person leave a fire unattended, toss a cigarette into the brush or spark a fire by shooting a weapon. The conditions are too extreme.
People, according to forest officials, have been doing their best to comply with Stage 2 restrictions that were in place. But without adequate moisture, the risk has grown too high.
Without the Santa Fe National Forest open, outdoors lovers might need to travel for their nature fix. National parks — Bandelier, Pecos and Valles Caldera — announced Wednesday they are shutting down many activities, including closing the backcountry, although main public areas will stay open.
Other national forests are not shut — yet. State parks remain, and both Santa Fe County and the city of Santa Fe have extensive recreational trails still open.
But the closing of the Santa Fe National Forest takes a bit of the shine out of summer. That’s just the reality.
It is also a big warning to everyone, a reminder of what we should know. Take care in the outdoors. The potential for fire is high, and a wildfire is a catastrophe we cannot risk.
Especially for residents who live in what has been termed the urban-wildlands interface — a place where people build homes along the edge of wild places — now is the time to take sensible precautions to protect property.
Cut brush. Trim dead branches from trees. Move wood piles away from structures. Rake up possible fuel for fires, leaves, pine needles and the like.
Make your homes as fireproof as possible (and pack a getaway bag for an emergency).
And while we’re at it, let’s all pray for rain, whatever method we use. Because only when the skies open and the moisture comes, will we be able to take to the trails once more.
Oh, for robust monsoon rains — and soon.