“We normally begin selling personal use woodcutting permits in mid-May,” said Reidy. “But due to the continued drought and fire restrictions, we decided to delay the season,” he added.

The Mt. Taylor Ranger District is in Stage I fire restrictions. However, if the drought continues, the district may soon move into Stage II fire restrictions.

“Stage II restrictions bans the use of chainsaws during the day, which would make it difficult for most people to cut wood,” Reidy said.

The woodcutting season will begin when there is enough precipitation to decrease the likelihood of human-caused wildfires. The district will issue a media release and post information on the web to announce the beginning of the season.

For more information, please call the Mt. Taylor Ranger District at 505.287.8833.

The current fire restrictions and information about woodcutting permits»

The Stage One restrictions begin May 21 and will limit campfires to provided grills and pits in designated campgrounds.

Those campgrounds are:

• Kingston Campground
• Juniper Campground
• Piñon Campground
• El Caso Campground
• Big Horn Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Pueblo Park Campground
• Grapevine Campground
• Lower Scorpion Campground
• Forks Campground
• Upper Scorpion Campground
• Sapillo Campground
• Upper End Campground
• Mesa Campground
• Lake Roberts Picnic Area
• Apache Creek Campground
• Little Walnut Picnic Areas
• Cherry Creek Campground
• McMillan Campground
• Iron Creek Campground
• Upper Gallinas Campground
• Lower Gallinas Campground
• Catwalk National Recreation Area

For an updated list of fire restrictions around New Mexico, visit the KRQE.com Wildfires page and click on Forestry Restrictions.

Railroad Canyon Campground

Submitted by Paul Diamond in Sandia Mountains, ‘Here’s how the wildfire looked ~2:30 from Rio Rancho.’

Send your photos to Report It »

The ban took effect yesterday and covers all outdoor fires including campfires and agricultural burning.

Violators of the ban are subject to arrest and fines.  Fires and fireworks can be reported by calling 505-891-7226.

Additional information is available on the SCFD website.

Glenwood, NM–The Glenwood Ranger District, Gila National Forest, is continuing prescribed burning within the Snare Mesa project area scheduled for April 22 – May 11, 2013. Start of the burn will depend on weather conditions; any significant rain may delay the project.

Objective: eliminate slash (logs, bark, branches, etc.) leftover from a thinning project

Acres: 100

Location: 10 miles northwest of the Community of Glenwood and near the Roberts Park/ Smoothing Iron area

Fuel type: sparse grass and thinning slash

Smoke may be visible along U.S. Highway 180 near Alma, NM. If driving in the vicinity, please exercise caution due to fire personnel and vehicles working along Catron County roads C003 and C057.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Glenwood Ranger District at 575.539.2481.

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

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.

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.

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

The burn is set to be around 20 acres.

Residents in the area may see smoke from the area.