News Release

Three Northern New Mexico National Parks To Increase Fire Restrictions

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News Release Date: May 30, 2018
Contact: Visitor Center, 505-757-7241

Los Alamos, NM – Due to the continued high risk of wildfire in the region, Bandelier National Monument, Pecos National Historical Park, and Valles Caldera National Preserve will implement public closures to all backcountry areas of the parks on Friday, June 1, 2018, at 12:01 AM, pursuant to Stage III fire restrictions. However, main public areas of each national park unit will remain open. These restrictions are being put in place to help the National Park Service provide for public safety and reduce fire risk.
 
Bandelier National Monument will close all wilderness and backcountry areas. Areas that will remain open include the Bandelier Visitor Center in Frijoles Canyon, Ponderosa and Juniper Campgrounds, Frijoles Canyon from Alcove House to the Upper Falls, Tsankawi, Frey Trail, Tyuonyi Overlook Trail, and Burnt Mesa Trail.
 
The following areas of Pecos National Historical Park are closed to public use: The Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass Hiking Trail and parking area; all closed areas, to include the Pecos River.  The following park events have been cancelled; Arrowhead Pueblo tours, Saturday Civil War Walking Tours, the South Pasture Loop Hiking Event (June 2, 2018), and the summer fishing season.  The Visitor Center and Ancestral Sites Trail will remain open, and rangers will continue to offer Civil War and Forked Lightning Ranch House tours.
 
Valles Caldera National Preserve will close access to its backcountry and suspend all fishing, equestrian, hiking, and biking activities. The Valle Grande entrance station and bookstore will remain open to the public, and ranger-led tours and hikes will be offered in the park’s cabin district.
 
Several criteria are used to determine when to implement fire restrictions, including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of firefighting resources. Fire restriction criteria are routinely evaluated and restrictions could be upgraded or downgraded at any time. Therefore, visitors should check the park’s website for alerts prior to their visit.
 
Know before you go. Fire restrictions in New Mexico can be found at www.firerestrictions.us/nm and fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com.  
 
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
 
Bandelier National Monument – www.nps.gov/band
 
Valles Caldera National Preserve – www.nps.gov/vall
 
Pecos National Historical Park – www.nps.gov/peco
 

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