topic Re: National Forests Closing in Community Chat

National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Wed, 18 May 2022 23:22:36 GMT

The U.S. Forest Service announced today the the Carson, Santa Fe and Cibola (near Albuquerque) National Forests in New Mexico will close for all recreational activity until the end of the year. Residents and visitors who want to camp, hike, picnic, boat, fish or do off-roading are referred to Colorado. There is a potential fine of $5,000 + 1 year in jail for those caught on Federal lands.

The largest fire has burned 300,000+ acres and destroyed over 600 structures including 340 homes. It's still going strong and is threatening the Angel Fire Resort.

One of those big slurry bombers flew very low over my house early this afternoon going to the airport.

As though this wasn't enough, some nutcase woman started nine fires this morning in the bosque (wooded area along the river) that runs right through the middle of Albuquerque. Fortunately some workers saw her, called the authorities and helped put out the fires. The area is being heavily patrolled.

Hot in the 90s here and very, very dry.

Re: National Forests Closing

dancingwoman — Wed, 18 May 2022 23:25:38 GMT

@Kachina624 I read that in our paper today. The train stopped running to Silverton because it might make a spark and cause a fire. They just started running to there last week I think...DW

Re: National Forests Closing

MamaWick — Wed, 18 May 2022 23:39:02 GMT

Our son's FIL and MIL have a cabin in the Carson area. We've not heard yet if it has been lost. 😪

Re: National Forests Closing

Duckncover — Thu, 19 May 2022 00:11:37 GMT

I have been so dismayed to read that the fires in NM still seem to be doing so much damage...I hope where you live is not close to the fires. Our weatherman yesterday said to expect smoky winds from the fires in NM to blow all the way into the DFW area from West Texas...sure enough, it is so hot and dry now, the smoky haze arrived.

Re: National Forests Closing

rockygems123 — Thu, 19 May 2022 00:23:41 GMT

@Kachina624

That is absolutely heartbreaking. Glad we're mostly OK here in Colorado and can take the overflow, we're somewhat dry and we do get almost daily fire wind warnings. Thankful however Friday & Saturday is a Winter Storm (as they call it) warning with rain / snow mix so that'll help.

Re: National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Thu, 19 May 2022 00:46:23 GMT

@dancingwoman I had thought about the trains and wondered if they would run since they create sparks. I'm sure the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad will also stay in the yard.

I also wouldn't camp at our favorite place near Lake City. Lots of people visiting the area and there's one narrow dirt road in and out. In the case of fire, those who couldn't get out would be trapped. Heavily wooded valleys and canyons.

Re: National Forests Closing

dancingwoman — Thu, 19 May 2022 01:34:57 GMT

@Kachina624 I love Lake City and Creede!...DW

Re: National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Thu, 19 May 2022 02:36:50 GMT

@dancingwoman Me too! One of my favorite places on earth. We spent time there in the RV every summer for years. Lots of trips you can take to see old mining ruins, cabins, beautiful majestic mountains.

Re: National Forests Closing

dancingwoman — Thu, 19 May 2022 02:55:47 GMT

@Kachina624 Have you ever gone to the Gem and Mineral shows in Creede. They are great. The vendors are set up in the mines. Nice and cool in there on a hot July afternoon....DW

Re: National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Thu, 19 May 2022 03:29:52 GMT

@dancingwoman No, but like to, it sound very cool literally. I'm somewhat of a rockhound.

Re: National Forests Closing

IMW — Thu, 19 May 2022 03:31:48 GMT

It is terrible. However it does seem like a prudent thing to do.

Re: National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Thu, 19 May 2022 03:35:21 GMT

@On It. I think the National Forest Service reads these boards and caught on to your suggestion sometime back to close the forest.

Re: National Forests Closing

On It — Thu, 19 May 2022 04:31:53 GMT

@Kachina624 I am relieved that they closed the forests. I have been hoping they would do that. I wish they would close the Lincoln National Forest and the Gila as well. Maybe before Memorial Day? The fire danger posted today at the Smokey the Bear station was extreme. I have never seen the forest this dry. The drought is taking its toll on the pinons.

We made our way to Ruidoso this week. It is one thing to watch reports on tv, but to see the devastation in person really drives home the enormity of the disaster. When we drove into the village, the red slurry was staring at us from the side of the mountain that almost touches the main thoroughfare. We went to our former home on McBride Drive. It was spared as well as the next two houses going up the street. Then two were completely destroyed. Traveling further up the street the fire skipped the next two houses, but then burned the two after them. Next door one house was spared, but still going further up the street, it burned another. The remainder of the houses on the street were spared. The fire attacked the houses from the rear climbing up to them from Gavilon Canyon.

The next development on this same mountain ridge was where Timberline Drive is located. Once the fire climbed up to that street it looked like it burned every house on the side next to the canyon. We were shocked at the extent of the damage and could not determine how many homes were lost.

We traveled from the high school/middle school area up Gavilon Canyon. Every structure in the fire's path was destroyed except one that was somehow saved by the owner. The fire raced up the canyon and crossed in places to get the houses on both sides of the street. Nothing is left but piles of ash and burned out car shells. This is where two people died and some severely burned. A large septic service company that had all kinds of buildings, trucks, heavy duty equipment, etc. was melted off the side of the mountain. Piles of twisted metal were all that was left.

The tree damage was bizarre. The wind-driven fire completely charred some trees, but others looked more scalded than charred. In some areas the upper canopy of the trees was still green, but the lower part looked fairly singed. I have no idea if these trees are viable. The damage was spread as far as the eye could see from our vantage point.

Ironically, the average tourist may come to visit and never see any evidence of the fire. It struck in the neighborhoods that were primarily made up of full-time residents. Many locals lost their only home. I talked to a couple today and made certain their property was untouched by the fire. They said everything was fine for them, but one of their employees did not know there was a fire until he saw his bathroom burning. He grabbed his dog and got out. He lost everything. There was simply no warning, and with no power there was no way to warn people.

The haze from the Gila fire was bad yesterday, but clearing today. We only saw one elk and there was no sign of the wild horses. I supposed the animals have moved. At least I hope that is the case and that they were unharmed.

Re: National Forests Closing

dancingwoman — Thu, 19 May 2022 04:39:44 GMT

@Kachina624 Well the train didn't run for 3 days. I just read online it started running again today. I hope they know what they're doing...DW

Re: National Forests Closing

AuntG — Thu, 19 May 2022 09:41:46 GMT

My SIL just returned from a wedding in NM. I mentioned I was worried about the wedding being held outside. She said there was some haze, but outherwise, the weather was great.

Re: National Forests Closing

godi — Thu, 19 May 2022 10:54:29 GMT

The world gets nuttier every day. ❤️🙏

Re: National Forests Closing

qualitygal — Thu, 19 May 2022 11:18:54 GMT

So sorry to hear that, but the authorities must feel it's necessary. I hate that fires have ruined so much naturalness. Hopefully this can go better very soon.

Re: National Forests Closing

sophiesofers — Thu, 19 May 2022 16:27:50 GMT

@Kachina624 Regarding that crazy woman, do you know if she was caught? Glad those workers saw her and helped put out the fires. What is wrong with people!

Re: National Forests Closing

ECBG — Thu, 19 May 2022 19:12:04 GMT

So very sorry that your area has been continuing to go through this terrible ordeal.

I hope they catch the woman who started the fires!

Sending more prayers.

Re: National Forests Closing

Kachina624 — Thu, 19 May 2022 19:39:30 GMT

@sophiesofers Yes, she was caught and is in jail. Actually, it was 12 fires she started yesterday. She also resisted arrest and assaulted an officer.

@ECBG