-
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
With continued windy, dry weather and increasing heat, the Gila National Forest will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions on Monday, April 28. The purpose of the restrictions is to protect public health and safety, as well as National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities by reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires during the current period of extreme fire danger and severe weather conditions.
Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, it is prohibited to build, maintain, attend, or use a fire, campfire, stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle, within a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of flammable materials. Stage 2 restrictions also prohibit the use of internal combustion engines or battery-powered equipment capable of creating sparks, welding or operating acetylene torch with open flame, and the use of vehicles off designated routes from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If parking a vehicle off a designated route, it must be in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
Alert Start Date: April 28th, 2025
Alert End Date: September 30th, 2025
Order Number: 03-06-00-25-003
Associated Documents
Forest Order
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Gila National Forest
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Gila National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire 36 C.F.R.§ 261.52(a). This includes charcoal grills and barbecues,
coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder's stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds. - Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer 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 all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM 10:00AM to 9:00PM (MDT)
- Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h), (j).
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR § 261.52(i).
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- As to Prohibition #1 above, persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
- 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
All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Gila National Forest, as specifically depicted in Exhibit A.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety, as well as National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities, by reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires during the current period of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from Monday, Apil 28, 2025, at 0800 through September 30, 2025, at 0800, 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/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices.
- 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 Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, NM, (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 this 23rd day of April, 2025.
|
Digitally signed by Bret S. Ruff Date: 2025.04.23 16:16:11
-06'00'
Bret Ruff
Deputy Forest Supervisor Gila National Forest
Contact Number:
575-388-8201Maps
Images below will open full size in a new window.
