Temporary Area Closure Order for Frijoles Fire

Order Number: # 03-10-06-26-11

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Santa Fe National Forest
Espanola Ranger District
Temporary Area Closure Order for Frijoles Fire

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 Espanola Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. Going into or being upon an area. 36.C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).
2. Using any motor vehicle on the road(s) described below. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. 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).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
3. Landowners crossing National Forest System lands in order to access their private property.

DESCRIBED AREA
The Described Area includes Santa Fe National Forest lands, roads, and trails within Township 21N Range 10E Sections 34-36 (within the forest boundary only); Township 21N Range 11E Sections 31-36 (within the forest boundary only); Township 20N Range 10E Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, and 34-36; Township 20N Range 11E Sections 1-36; Township 19N Range 10E Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, and 34-36; Township 19N Range 11E Sections 1-23, 26-35; and Township 18N Range 10E Sections 1-4, 11-12 and Township 18N Range 11E Sections 2-11 of the New Mexico Meridian, New Mexico, as specifically depicted in Exhibit A.

The northern boundary of the closure area is defined by the Santa Fe National Forest boundary.

The southern boundary of the closure area follows the Rio en Medio from the Forest western forest boundary near the community of Rio en Medio to the headwaters in the Pecos Wilderness and eastern boundary of the Espanola Ranger District.

The western boundary of the closure area is defined by the Santa Fe National Forest boundary.

The eastern boundary of the closure area is defined by the district boundary, within the Pecos Wilderness, between the Espanola and Pecos Ranger Districts, of the Santa Fe National Forest. Where the district boundary intersects the Santa Fe County line, the closure boundary then runs north along the county line to the north end of the closure area at the forest boundary.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public’s health and safety during firefighting operations of the Frijoles Wildfire.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from August 15th, 2026, at 0800 through September 15th, 2026, at 0800, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described [Roads] 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/santafe/alerts.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Contact the Espanola Ranger District in Espanola, NM, (505) 753-7331, or the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, NM, (505) 438-5300, for more information about this Order.
 

Signed and issued on this 15th day of August 2026.

Shaun Sanchez
Forest Supervisor
Santa Fe National Forest