Lincoln National Forest's Fire Danger Elevated to Very High with Fire Restrictions

ALAMOGORDO – With the steady increase in daytime temperatures and constant daily moderate to high winds, the potential for wildland fire starts increases significantly.

Based on current weather and fuel conditions, an increase in visitors and recreational activities on the Lincoln National Forest, and an increase in human-caused fires on the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Districts over the past two weeks, the Fire Danger Rating has elevated to very high.

Fire Danger Rating signs will indicate a fire danger of very high effective April 20 at 8 a.m., which extends across the entire Lincoln National Forest, including Smokey Bear, Sacramento and Guadalupe Districts.

A fire danger rating of very high means that fires start easily from all causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels.

“With the fire danger rating increasing to very high, Stage I Fire Restrictions will go into effect for the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts on April 20 at 8 a.m. There will be no fire restrictions on the Guadalupe Ranger District,” Fire Staff Officer Ryan Whiteaker said. “As the season progresses, we may still have opportunities to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Guadalupe District, but moving forward with ignitions will be dependent on site-specific conditions and prescriptions for individual projects.”

The difference between an unwanted wildfire and a prescribed fire is that the prescribed fire is a planned event and fire is used to treat certain fuels under the oversight of a burn boss and firefighting resources that are on scene to ensure that the resource management objectives are being met, as the fire burns at a manageable pace.

Firefighters have the advantage because they are able to control the intensity and rate of spread of the fire. With an unwanted wildfire, firefighters respond to an unknown situation and make appropriate on-the-spot decisions as the wildfire progresses, all the while, ensuring that firefighter and public safety are priority.

With the Smokey Bear and Sacramento districts under Stage I Fire Restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal grills, coal stoves and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites or picnic areas where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided for use. Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites.

Stoves, lanterns or heaters fueled by propane or other liquefied petroleum fuels may be used in areas cleared of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device, if they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings and developed recreation sites. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forests.

For more information call or visit any of the LNF offices Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Alamogordo Supervisor’s office, 3463 Las Palomas Road, 575-434-7200, the Cloudcroft Sacramento Ranger District, 4 Lost Lodge Road, 575-682-2551, Ruidoso’s Smokey Bear Ranger District, 901 Mechem Drive, 575-257-4095 and Carlsbad’s Guadalupe Ranger District, 5203 Buena Vista Drive, 575-881-4181.