Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts - Stage 2 Fire Restriction 03-03-00-25-07

Associated Documents

Forest Order

Order Number: # 03-03-00-25-07

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following acts are prohibited within all National Forest System lands as described in this Order (the “Described Area”) and as depicted on the attached maps, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, within the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts on the Cibola National Forest, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Lincoln, Counties within the State of New Mexico.

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, on all lands and trails, unless solely for the purpose of parking in an area that is devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in areas that are designated for parking within developed recreation sites.  36 C.F.R. § 261.56.

THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

4. Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
5. Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
6. Blasting or using any type of explosive. 36 C.F.R § 261.52(b).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.   Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.

2.   Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

3.   Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in the area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator.

4.   Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

5.   Purchasers of Commercial Timber Sale Contracts will follow the limitations included in C(T) 7.22# – Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule – Table A, as provided in the contract.

DESCRIBED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest as depicted on the attached maps at Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods

of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order will be in effect on May 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM, and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2025, at 8:00 am or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
2. A map identifying the Described is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A and Exhibit B. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A and B, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
3. Exhibit C, “Definitions,” is attached and incorporated into this Order.
4. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
5. 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.
6. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Mountainair RD in Mountainair, NM at 505-847-2990 and Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, NM at 505-281-3304 and at the Cibola National Forest Supervisors Office in Albuquerque, NM at 505-346-3900.

 EXHIBIT C

STAGE II 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. 

CHAIN SAW:  A saw powered by an internal combustion engine, with cutting teeth linked in an endless chain.

For further definitions or clarification of definitions, refer to 36 C.F.R. § 261.2.

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