Forest-wide closure ordered for Lincoln National Forest to begin Wednesday due to active wildfires and extreme fire danger

ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico -- Starting Wednesday, May 25 at 8 a.m., the Lincoln National Forest will be closed off to public access across the entire 1.1 million-acre forest due to active wildfires and the extreme fire danger.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, all National Forest System lands, recreation sites, campgrounds, roads, trails and trailheads within the boundary of the Lincoln National Forest will be closed to the general public. County and state roads that cross the Forest Service lands will remain open to traffic. Local communities will also remain open for business during the closure.

Officials say the closure will remain in effect until July 30, 2022, unless rescinded earlier.