Fire risk closes Lincoln forest

The Lincoln National Forest and some Bureau of Land Management properties have been closed to the general public due to high fire risks.

Camping and other recreational activities in the Lincoln National Forest, location of the resort towns of Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, are popular with a number of eastern New Mexicans.

Forest officials announced May 23 that the forest is expected to be closed until July 30, unless the order is rescinded sooner.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced May 24 that the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and Rio Bonito Acquired Lands — also known as the Lincoln Tracts — will be closed until further notice.

According to information released by the Lincoln National Forest, all lands, recreation and campground sites, roads and trails in the 1.1 million acre forest will be closed. County and state roads not under forest jurisdiction will allow vehicular traffic, and communities along the forest can remain open for business.

Those who violate the order can be fined or criminally charged for such violations. The forest also has fire restrictions in place.

A news release by the BLM stated that only people engaged in authorized permitted activities or involved in official duties as part of a rescue or firefighting team will be allowed in the Fort Stanton or Rio Bonita areas during the closure of those sites.

Other U.S. forest sites closed in New Mexico are the Santa Fe National Forest, Carson National Forest and parts of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.