Governor Martinez speaks at the Rio Grande Nature Center on Wildfire Awareness Week.

A combination of low moisture, persistent drought, winds and warm weather in southeastern New Mexico has prompted Lincoln National Forest fire officials to elevate the Guadalupe Ranger District’s fire danger rating to HIGH, while the fire danger in higher elevations on the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts is described as MODERATE.

If you plan to be out and about this Easter weekend, please follow some simple safety tips:

• Make sure campfires are dead out!
• Spark arrestors are required on chainsaws and off-road vehicles.
• Don’t park vehicles on dry grass.
• If you smoke, do so in areas that clear of vegetation and don’t toss cigarettes out.
• Don’t burn on windy days!
• Remember, it’s illegal to possess or use fireworks on public lands.

For information about the Lincoln National Forest, call 575-434-7200, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln<http://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln or follow us on Twitter.

Springtime winds in New Mexico have led to dry conditions and high fire danger.

The Gila National Forest began the Red Flag Awareness Program this week with the recent windy weather.

Each Forest Service office and administrative site will fly a red flag on the days the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Wind Warning.

Crews from three volunteer fire departments are mopping up a fire in the bosque near Chimayo/La Puebla.

1/4 acres was burned but no structures were lost.  Fire fighters prevented this from becoming a big fire.

A prescribed burn is planned for Monday afternoon in the Hondo area on Highway 14, on the west side of the road.

The burn is set to be around 20 acres.

Residents in the area may see smoke from the area.