SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to bring family and friends on an adventure to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).

If you plan to spend the Fourth of July weekend on the SFNF, please remember to leave the fireworks at home. They may be the staple of Fourth of July festivities, but fireworks and explosives are ALWAYS prohibited on national forests.

All SFNF offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday, but fire personnel, law enforcement and recreation staff will be patrolling the forest over the long weekend. Offices will have regular business hours Monday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 5.

There are no fire restrictions on the SFNF at this time, but forest visitors are encouraged to practice situational awareness, good campfire safety and Leave No Trace principles.

Here are some tips for a safe outdoor holiday weekend:

• Weather – It’s monsoon season in New Mexico. Check weather forecasts and be prepared for thunderstorms. If there is lightning, seek shelter in buildings or vehicles, never under trees. Avoid low areas, arroyos and stream channels, and fire scars because of the flash flooding danger.
• Camping – Be considerate of other campers. Adhere to the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics to leave your favorite part of the SFNF ready for the next visitors to enjoy. You are welcome to camp and picnic outside developed campgrounds and recreation areas unless the area is specifically posted as closed. Make sure you have plenty of drinkable water.
• Dispose of waste properly by “packing it in, packing it out,” which means taking it home with you if trash receptacles on the forest are full.
• Refer to the current Motor Vehicle Use Maps so you know which roads and trails are open to motor vehicle traffic, including ATVs and OHVs. Park only in designated areas. Do not impede emergency access by blocking roadways, fire lanes or driveways.
• Dogs are welcome but must be leashed in developed recreation areas (campgrounds and picnic sites), parking lots and on interpretive trails. Your dog must be under your control at all times.
• Share your plans – Whether you are just out for the day or planning to stay overnight, always let someone know your plans, including your itinerary and when you expect to return home. Do not rely on cell phones for safety because you may not always have cell coverage in remote sections of the forest.