Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Lincoln National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”): 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using fire, campfire, or stove fire including charcoal and briquettes outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas). 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a). 
    
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).

Review the full order for exemptions.

Described Area

All National Forest System Lands, Roads, and Trails within the exterior boundaries of the Lincoln National Forest, as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A.

Purpose

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and sever fire weather conditions.

Implementation

This Order shall be in effect from Monday March 10, 2025, at 1200 through Thursday December 31, 2025, at 2359, unless rescinded.

A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST EXHIBIT B

THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATED AREAS HAVE APPROPRIATE OR APPROVED FACILITES UNDER STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS: 

SMOKEY BEAR RANGER DISTRICT

• Oak Grove Campground
• Three Rivers Campground
• Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground in Cedar Creek
• Cedar Creek Picnic Area
• Skyline Campground

SACRAMENTO RANGER DISTRICT

• Trestle Recreation Area
• Silver Campground
• Silver Overflow Campground
• James Canyon Campground
• Karr Canyon Campground
• Upper Karr Campground
• Sleepy Grass Day Use Area
• Saddle Campground
• Apache Campground
• Slide Group Campground
• Aspen Group Campground
• Black Bear Group Campground
• Deerhead Campground
• Sleepy Grass Campground
• Pines Campground
• Lower Fir Group Campground
• Upper Fir Group Campground
• Sitting Bull Falls Day Use Area (Guadalupe Mountain Range)
   

EXHIBIT C EMERGENCY STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS DEFINITIONS

DESIGNATED AREA: Developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas that are maintained and administered by the Forest Service, shown on the current Forest visitor maps, and are equipped with permanent fire structures. 

FIRE STRUCTURE: A permanent metal or concrete structure, which is specially designed for the purpose of containing a campfire or cooking fire that has been installed and maintained by the Forest Service or equivalent. 

STOVE FIRE: A fire built inside a fully enclosed metal stove, grill, or sheep herder type stove, which is outfitted with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length and is equipped with a spark arrestor consisting of a mesh screen with a screen opening of ¼ inch or less. For further definitions or clarification of definitions, refer to 36 C.F.R. § 261.2