Just in time for the busy 4th of July weekend, many public lands throughout New Mexico are closed due to extreme fire danger.

Given the dry conditions, unavailability of fire crews, and unfavorable weather conditions many land managers have taken the drastic step of closing regional public lands to visitors.  Some state parks, national forest lands, and state wildlife areas throughout Northern New Mexico are affected by closures.  The Fourth of July weekend is normally the busiest tourist season in the region.

The closures in the Raton region include:

• Carson National Forest, including the Questa Ranger District and the Valle Vidal Unit
• Cimarron Canyon State Park
• Colin Neblett State Wildlife Area
• Elliot Barker State Wildlife Area
• Morphy Lake State Park
• Santa Fe National Forest, including the Pecos Wilderness and Forest Service land in San Miguel County
• Storrie Lake State Park

Strict open flame and outdoor cooking restrictions have been enacted in:

• All New Mexico state lands
• All of Las Animas County, including the Lake Dorothey and James John Wildlife Areas
• Cibola National Forest, Kiowa National Grasslands
• Cibola National Forest, Rita Blanca National Grasslands
• Clayton Lake State Park
• San Isabel National Forest
• Sugarite Canyon State Park

This is not a comprehensive or complete list of closures.  See this official inter-agency fire restriction website for additional closures and updates:  Link

Agency pages:

Colorado state fire restrictions:  Link

New Mexico State Forestry announcements:  Link

New Mexico State Park closures:  Link

New Mexico State Park Restrictions:  Link

New Mexico Game and Fish local closures:  Link

Carson National Forest Closure Order with maps:  pdf file

Santa Fe National Forest Closure Order with maps:  pdf file

Parks Open

As of July 1st, some local parks and public lands remain open and accessible.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Raton City Parks, including Climax Canyon
• Sugarite Canyon State Park
• Lake Dorothey and James John Wildlife Areas.

Continue to check with the agencies’ official websites listed above for updates and changes in closure status.