The U.S. Forest Service will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions across the Santa Fe National Forest on Friday, a move that comes as a wildfire that sparked this week in the Jemez Mountains has burned more than 300 acres and forced evacuations.
The federal agency announced the heightened restrictions Thursday, several hours after indicating officials were planning a full forest closure. Spokesperson Claudia Brookshire said in a statement the agency was instead “in the process of preparing” a closure order for McCauley Springs Fire near Battleship Rock.
“For everyone’s safety, we strongly urge the public to avoid this area, as firefighting crews are actively working in the area,” she said.
The National Park Service also announced Thursday it was implementing Stage 2 restrictions, which affect Bandelier National Monument, the Valles Caldera National Preserve and other parks.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit building or using a fire, including a campfire or stove fire; smoking; using fireworks or explosives; operating certain combustion engines; and using a motor vehicle off-road, except when parking in an area free of vegetation within 10 feet of the road.
When the orders go into effect, details will be available at fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts, the Forest Service said.
The McCauley Springs Fire — detected early Wednesday morning — has prompted community evacuations and campsite and trail closures near Battleship Rock and the Jemez Falls Campground off N.M. 4.
The fire had grown to 327 acres Thursday, officials said, and remained uncontained. The cause had not yet been determined.
The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire Wednesday evening, and a Complex Incident Management Team was expected to arrive Thursday.
“The fire is under a full suppression strategy and today crews will continue implementing mixed direct and indirect suppression tactics,” according to an interagency update.
N.M. 4 remained closed Thursday from mile marker 27, near the Battleship Rock Campground, east to mile marker 40, near the Jemez Falls Campground, which is several miles west of the entrance to the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also announced boat ramps on Cochiti Lake were closed so aircraft could collect water to aid in the wildfire suppression efforts. Boats and watercraft were banned until the boat ramps reopened, which was expected to occur Friday.
Meanwhile, a fire that ignited Tuesday in Torrance County near Clines Corners had grown to 908 acres and remained uncontained. Officials reported crews had made progress on the blaze, and there were no evacuations.
The cause of the Canyon Venado Fire is under investigation.
