New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
lance.cherry@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 31, 2013:

GAME COMMISSION PECOS PROPERTIES CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

PECOS – A wildfire in Pecos Canyon has forced the closure of State Game Commission properties in the canyon, the Department of Game and Fish announced Friday.

Anyone planning to use the Bert Clancy, Terrero, Jamie Koch, or Mora campgrounds should plan to go elsewhere this weekend. Monastery Lake is also closed to allow fire-fighting crews to use the lake’s water to fight the Tres Lagunas fire that is believed to have been caused Thursday by a downed power line.

Department of Game and Fish officers assisted with the evacuation of campers and residents of Pecos Canyon Thursday night. They will continue to assist State Police and U.S. Forest Service officers at roadblocks to keep anyone from traveling up the canyon.

Game and Fish Department Director Jim Lane wants to remind all New Mexicans venturing outdoors this weekend for Saturday’s Free Fishing Day to use extreme caution with anything that could cause a fire.

“The drought is one of worst in recorded history,” Director Lane said. “Everyone who is fishing or otherwise visiting the outdoors this weekend needs to fully comply with all fire restrictions.”

The New Mexico State Forester has imposed statewide fire restrictions include prohibitions and restrictions on smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and open fires. For more information visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/FireAnnouncements.html.