EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Lincoln National Forest began forest-wide Stage 1 fire restrictions on Friday, March 27.
The restrictions are across all three ranger districts and will remain in place until Sept. 30 or until they are rescinded.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place to help reduce the risk of human-caused fires in the forest. Violating fire restrictions is a Class B misdemeanor and may result in fines or jail time.What do State 1 restrictions mean?
- You cannot build, light or maintain a fire or campfire at dispersed or undeveloped campsites.
- No open flames are allowed outside of Forest Service-provided fire rings or grills.
- Campfires are allowed only in fire rings or grills provided by the Forest Service in designated, developed recreation sites, such as named campgrounds and picnic areas.
- Propane or liquid-fuel stoves and grills are allowed during Stage 1 restrictions.
- You must have at last 3 feet of cleared space around and above the stove or grills.
- Stoves and grills must be fully turned off after cooking and use.
- Smoking is only allowed inside an enclosed vehicle or building; at a developed recreation site; or while standing in an area at least 3 feet wide that is clear of all flammable material.
Forest Service officials said the fire restrictions are needed because of a warm, dry winter, long-term drought across the region, higher tree mortality because of drought and insects and weather forecasts showing hotter and drier conditions from March through June.
The Lincoln National Forest will continue to monitor conditions and will update the public if fire restrictions change…