SFNF NEWS RELEASE

PROHIBITIONS 
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C § 551 and 36 C.F.R § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on all National Forest System lands (NFS) in the Santa Fe National Forest, Sandoval, Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Mora and San Miguel counties, State of New Mexico, described below and depicted on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”): 

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads unless solely for the purpose of parking in an area that is devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. 36 CFR § 261.56.

THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

1. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR §
   261.52(h).
2. Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal
   combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and
   woodcutting or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. 36 C.F .R. § 261.52(9).
3. Blasting or using any type of explosive which is under a special use
   authorization/contract. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b).

Exemptions
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
2. Any Federal, State, or Local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

DESCRIBED AREA 
All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A. The prohibitions do not apply to any non-National Forest System lands within the Described Area. 

PURPOSE 
The purpose of this Order is to provide for the public’s health and safety and to protect National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities during the current period of elevated fire danger. An emergency exists due to extreme hot and dry weather conditions, as indicated by current fire danger indices. These factors have created an environment in which ignitions from human-caused activities can occur at a much higher rate than normal. Further, wildfires from such ignitions have the propensity to spread extremely quickly, presenting a significant risk to the public safety and substantial obstacles to firefighters in the implementation of wildfire suppression strategies. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This order shall be in effect from Friday, June 26th, 2026, at 08:00am through September 30, 2026, at midnight, unless rescinded.
   
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices
   
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, f>arts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
   
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
   
5. Contact the Coyote, Cuba, Jemez, and Espanola Ranger Districts located in Coyote, N.M., Cuba, N.M., Jemez Springs, N.M. and Espanola, N.M., telephone numbers Coyote (575) 638-5526, Cuba (575) 289-3264, Jemez (575) 829-3535, and Espanola (505) 753-7331, and at the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor’s Office (505) 438-5300 for more information about this Order.
   
6. This Order supersedes previous Stage I Fire Restriction order# 03-10-00-26-03 on the Santa Fe National Forest within the same Described Area.