SANTA FE, NM – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order to protect the public by closing several popular developed recreation sites along NM Highway 4 in the Jemez Ranger District.
The recreation sites are at extreme risk of flash flooding from post-fire impacts, including flash flooding, from the Cerro Pelado Fire, according to a warning issued by the forest service.
The Cerro Pelado Fire started on April 22 about seven miles east of Jemez Springs.
The recreation sites that are closed to the public are Battleship Rock, Soda Dam, Bluffs Fishing Access, Spanish Queen Picnic Area, Vista Linda Campground, River’s Bend Fishing Access, San Diego Fishing Access, Las Casitas Fishing Access and La Junta Fishing Access.
“Our first priority is to protect human life and public health and safety,” Jemez Ranger District Brian Riley said in the statement. “With the early onset of monsoonal weather and more precipitation predicted, we want to protect our visitors from the very real threat of flash flooding and debris flow from the area destabilized by the wildfire.”
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 Jemez District Office. All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.
