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Quemado Lake Area/Trail Closure - Harmful Algal Blooms
The Gila National Forest has issued a public health and safety area closure of Quemado Lake due to a harmful algal bloom. The area closure prohibits public access to the Quemado Lake parking lot, boat dock, dam area, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, and Cove-Lake Access Trail #1443 and Quemado Lake itself.
The Surface Water Quality Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has detected very high levels of microcystins in their water samples from Quemado Lake, indicating a potential for acute poisoning and short- or long-term effects to humans or animals. To protect the public, the NMED has issued a danger advisory and recommended closing the area. The water is unsafe for drinking, swimming, wading, boating, paddling, water skiing, or fishing, and dogs should not be allowed to play in the water. NMED will continue to sample water quality and provide updated guidance as conditions develop.
The area closure will remain in effect until December 31, 2026 at 6 a.m., or until NMED advises that the lake is safe for public use.
Harmful algal blooms occur most often during the summer when sunlight warms stagnant water with high nutrient levels, creating a hospitable environment for them. Learn more about harmful algal blooms and view a map of HAB warnings and advisories at New Mexico Environment Department - Harmful Algal Blooms.
Alert Start Date: August 5, 2026
Alert End Date: December 31, 2026
Order Number: 03-06-03-26-003
Contact Information
Contact Email: sm.fs.GilaPAO@usda.gov
Associated Documents
Forest Order
PROHIBITIONS
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 Quemado Ranger District, Gila National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area):
- Public health and safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
- Being on a trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- 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).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA
The Described Area lies within portions of Township 2 South, Range 16 West, Sections 10, 14, & 15. The Described Area consists of all National Forest lands within the boundary starting the end of New Mexico State Highway 103 and beginning of Forest Road 13, including Quemado Lake parking area/boat dock to Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144 proceeding 2.8 miles around Quemado Lake over Quemado Lake Dam back to the entrance of the Quemado Lake Parking Lot. Forest Road 13 will remain open for travel.
The area closure prohibits public access on National Forest System lands including the Quemado Lake parking lot, boat dock, dam area, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, Cove Access Trail #1443 and Quemado Lake itself, as shown specifically in Exhibit A.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is issuing a danger warning for Quemado Lake after samples confirmed extremely high toxin levels caused by a harmful algal bloom.
IMPLEMENTATION
- 1. This Order shall be in effect from August 6, 2026 at 6:00 am through December 31, 2026 at 6:00 am, unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact the Quemado Ranger District in Quemado, New Mexico (575) 773-4678, and Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, New Mexico (575) 388-8201, for more information about this Order.
- This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on August 5, 2026.
Maps
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