SFNF News:SANTA FE ― The Santa Fire National Forest (SFNF) today issued a temporary closure order for a portion of the Cuba Ranger District to provide for public and firefighter safety during operations on the Naranjo Fire.
The restricted area starts at the intersection of Forest Road (FR) 96 and the SFNF boundary and goes east to San Jose Creek, then follows the creek to the San Jose Trailhead, then goes to Naranjo Creek to the SFNF boundary and back to FR 96. The closure order and a map of the restricted area are posted on the SFNF website’s listing of current closures.
The lightning-caused Naranjo Fire started July 1 approximately 2 miles southeast of Regina. Based on current and forecasted conditions, fire managers determined that the Naranjo Fire provided an opportunity to use a natural ignition to achieve significant benefits on the ground, including improved forest health, reduced fuel loadings and improved wildlife habitat.
Fire crews added low-intensity fire to the ground yesterday and today to treat up to 1,070 acres and reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire by reducing fine fuels and woody debris on the forest floor. Crews will monitor the Naranjo Fire over the next few days.
The closure order is in effect until July 22, 2019, unless it is rescinded earlier. Federal, state and local officers, members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force, landowners accessing their private property and any others authorized by permit are exempt from the closure order.
Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.
Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com,www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF and Twitter @SantafeNF.
For additional information about the Naranjo Fire, please contact the Cuba Ranger District at 575.289.3264.
