Carson National Forest
Red Flag Warning issued June 9 at 10:04PM MDT until June 9 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 295 Southwest Colorado Upper East Forecast Area. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 10 AM to 10 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7 to 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
Red Flag Warning issued June 9 at 10:04PM MDT until June 10 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 295 Southwest Colorado Upper East Forecast Area. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 10 AM to 10 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7 to 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 9 at 10:04PM MDT until June 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 295 Southwest Colorado Upper East Forecast Area. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 10 AM to 10 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7 to 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
South Fork Saguache Road 787 and Area Closure
A segment of Forest Road 787 and a nearby area are closed from July 6 to August 15, 2026.
Sangre de Cristo Domestic Goat Restriction
Restriction order prohibiting domestic goats in parts of the Rio Grande National Forest to protect Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep from disease.
Fall/Winter Slash Pile Burns Planned
Rio Grande National Forest announced today their winter slash pile burning plans. As conditions allow, fire crews plan to burn numerous piles of woody debris from timber sale and thinning project areas across the Rio Grande National Forest. This year’s pile burn areas include:Saguache Ranger…
Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures
This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.
Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.
Food Storage Regulations
This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually, within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest. The purpose of this Order to protect wildlife and human safety by reducing the risk of adverse interactions between bears and humans.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use
This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use.
Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions
This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir.
Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations
This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District.
Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest
This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest.
Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions
This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas.
Spectacle Lake Restriction
This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations.
Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead
This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.
Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure
This special order closes FSR # 950, near Crestone, seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually.
Park Creek Road Speed Limit
This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road.
Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit
This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon.
Rito Hondo Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the Rito Hondo Dam.
Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions
This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River.
Cannabis Possession Prohibited
Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…
Herbicide Application in Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon (HPCC) burned area
Starting the week of June 1 , contractors will be applying herbicide to invasive plants in the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon (HPCC) burned area. Signs will be posted near treatment areas stating the name of the herbicide or management strategy used and the dates of when to avoid the area. Efforts will…
Temporary area, road, and trail closures for Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon post-fire impacts
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Santa Fe National ForestPecos/Las Vegas Ranger District TEMPORARY AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL CLOSURES FOR HERMITS PEAK AND CALF CANYON POST-FIRE IMPACTSPROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are…
Campground and Equestrian Area Closure for Field Tract, Panchuela, Jacks Creek Campgrounds
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceSanta Fe National ForestPecos-Las Vegas Ranger DistrictCampground and Equestrian Area Closure PROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibitedon the National Forest System (NFS) lands and…
All Offices Closed - April 22, 2026
OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTThe Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, NM, and all district offices (Cuba, Jemez, Coyote, Española, Pecos, and Las Vegas) will be closed on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, while our customer service representatives attend annual training. We’ll be back to our regular hours on…
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Order Number: # 03-10-00-26-03U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceSanta Fe National ForestEmergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions PROHIBITIONS Pursuant to 16 U.S.C § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on all National Forest System lands (NFS) in the Santa…
Possessing Domestic Sheep or Goats within Wilderness areas
Order Number: # 03-10-00-26-01U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceSanta Fe National ForestPossessing Domestic Sheep or Goats within Wilderness areas PROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibitedwithin areas described in this…
Temporary Area Closure for the Tesuque Peak Powerline on the Espanola Ranger District
The area in the vicinity of Tesuque Peak Powerline is temporarily closed for a powerline rebuild and restoration project.
Headquarters Well Area Closure on Española Ranger District
Order Number: 03-10-06-25-17U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceSanta Fe National ForestEspanola Ranger DistrictCamping Area Closure at Headquarters WellPROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b) the following is prohibitedon the National Forest…
Jemez Cave Closure
The purpose of this Order is to provide natural and cultural resource protection for the Jemez Cave and for public safety and welfare until current damage to natural and cultural resources can be assessed and a long-term management strategy developed.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions Order for the Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest has the need to limit the stay of the visitors to lessen the opportunity of residency; and to comply with State Law prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21; and to protect general visitors sensitive to public nudity from human…
Special Closure for the Santa Fe Watershed on the Espanola Ranger District
Special Closure Order for the Santa Fe watershed
Santa Fe Watershed Closure Order on the Espanola Ranger District
WHEREAS, bathing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and other forms of human occupancy of the Santa Fe River Watershed in the Santa Fe National Forest, causes pollution of the water flowing therein used by the residents of Santa Fe, New Mexico , for drinking and domestic purposes, to a degree…
Cannabis Possession Prohibited
Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…
Temporary Partial Closure of Forest Road 439
Update: This closure has been extended due to weather. Reopening is expected by June 15.A segment of Forest Road 439 will be closed June 1 - 7, 2026, during road and bridge repair. The closure, near the entrance at Highway 518, is from mileposts 1.7 to 2.1.Visitors entering Forest Roads 440 and 442…
Water Systems Out of Service at Some Recreation Sites
A list of water systems currently offline at recreation sites for seasonal water testing or longer term repairs.
Seasonal Road Restrictions
Seasonal road designations restrict vehicle use throughout the year on different Forest Service roads for different periods of time to protect wintering and calving habitat for big game as well as protecting soil and watersheds.
Gate Closure: Forest Road 476
The gate for Forest Road 476 off Highway 518 is closed during log hauling operations for the McGaffey Project Timber Harvest. It is expected to reopen in June.
Current Fire Restrictions and Related Prohibitions
A list of temporary fire restrictions subject to daily changes.
Currently Impassable Trails and Trail Sections
A list of trails and trail sections not currently recommended for travel.
Valle Vidal Annual Closures
Annual seasonal closures in the Valle Vidal for the protection of one of New Mexico’s largest elk herds.
Possession of Domestic Sheep or Goats
To protect bighorn sheep from disease, possessing, storing or transporting any domestic goat or sheep within Wilderness Areas in the Carson NF is prohibited.
Valle Vidal Camping Restrictions
To protect wildlife habitat, camping on or within a half mile of Forest Service roads, or within 100 yards of natural waters or within 300 yards of constructed waters is prohibited in Valle Vidal.
Annual Summer Closure of Wheeler Peak, Williams Lake, and Surrounding Area
The following will be closed at a 2026 future date for a week for traditional purposes: Williams Lake (#62), Wheeler Summit (#67), Wheeler Peak (#90) between La Cal Basin and Wheeler Peak, Lost Lake (#91) between Horseshoe Lake and Wheeler Peak.
Timber Harvest in Progress Near Pot Creek, Taos
Practice caution on Forest Roads 115A, 115B, and 476 with ongoing timber harvest and forest restoration activities, including the use of heavy machinery.
Collapsed Bridge on the West Fork Santa Barbara Trail (#25)
A bridge over the Middle Fork Rio Santa Barbara in the Pecos Wilderness has collapsed. It's located on the West Fork Santa Barbara Trail (#25).
Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Outbreak
Effects of the outbreak are visible to the south of Taos, N.M., especially near Pot Creek and along Forest Road 476. Proceed with caution when around them, contact can cause symptoms.
Capulin Trail and Related Road Access Closed to Vehicles
The Capulin Trail (#494), as well as a portion of Forest Road 10AA, is temporarily closed to vehicles (motorcycles, ATVs and e-bikes, classes 1-3). For background on the closure, read the news release.
Fawn Lakes Drained
Heavy spring runoff in 2019 broke the dam and damaged the sidewalk, pullouts and pier. Forest staff are working with partners to identify funding and options for the future of fishing in this area.The adjacent campground remains open for the spring and summer seasons.
Red Flag Warning issued June 9 at 7:55PM MDT until June 10 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 223, 234 and 236. * TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Wednesday. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.
Overview
Carson National Forest encompasses 1.5 million acres of Northern New Mexico spanning the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, San Juan Mountains, and San Juan Basin, with elevations ranging from 6,500 to over 13,000 feet (including Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest point). The forest is currently open with LOW fire danger across all zones. Current alerts include: Forest Road 17 closed for maintenance; active timber harvesting operations on Camino Real Ranger District (FR 476, 115A, 115B); pile burning operations ongoing through winter depending on conditions; bridge collapse on West Fork Santa Barbara Trail (#25) 2.3 miles from trailhead; beaver dam flooding on Placer Fork Trail (#72); Capulin Trail (#494) and FR 10AA temporarily closed to motorized vehicles; and ongoing trail maintenance addressing blowdown from 2021 windstorm. Christmas tree and firewood permits are available online. The forest provides diverse recreation opportunities including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and mountain biking across sagebrush to alpine tundra ecosystems.
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