New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 5, 2018:
Fire restrictions, closures increasing statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
SANTA FE – As drought continues to increase fire danger statewide, the Kid’s Pond at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery in the Jemez Mountains will be closed at dusk on Wednesday, June 6. By mutual agreement with the Benedictine Monastery, the Department will also concurrently close Monastery Lake in Pecos, NM. Both locations will remain closed until conditions improve in and around the Santa Fe National Forest.
In addition to enforcing closures and fire restrictions, Department of Game and Fish conservation officers will increase patrols on State Game Commission-owned properties.
Commission properties also will follow the same restrictions or closures in place on properties adjacent to U.S. Forest Service or BLM lands. Additional information about active fires, restrictions and closures can be found at nmfireinfo.com.
The Department of Game and Fish will continue to follow guidelines initiated by the State Forestry Division for Game Commission-owned properties across the state. Fire restrictions on state-owned properties are available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/FireAnnouncements.html.
Conservation officers will be looking for other common violations, including off-highway vehicle registration and safe use as well checking for fishing licenses and related violations.
Individuals who are 18 and older must have a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a Habitat Management and Access Validation when camping, hunting or fishing on the Game Commission-owned properties.
“Visitors can expect to see our conservation officers patrolling commission-owned properties,” said New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Colonel Robert Griego. “We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, but we also expect them to follow the rules by avoiding closed areas and observing fire-related restrictions.”
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