SFNF Issues Closure Order for Rincon Fire in Pecos Wilderness

By SFNF

The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Rincon Fire. The order will be in effect from 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 16, through Dec. 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier.

The lightning-caused Rincon Fire was reported on June 11 roughly 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada in the Pecos Wilderness on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. The SouthwestArea Type 2 Incident Management Team4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Rincon Fire today. Updates on fire operations are posted on the SFNF website, www.nmfireinfo.com andInciweb.

The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead.

Although the western side of the Pecos Wilderness is not included in the closure, fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Rincon Fire.

Federal, state and local officers, firefighters and members of an organized rescue team, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The closure order and map are posted on the SFNF website and copies are available at SFNF headquarters and the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District Offices.  All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.