State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor
Sarah Cottrell Propst, Cabinet Secretary
Todd E. Leahy, JD, PhD, Deputy Cabinet Secretary
Toby Velasquez, State Parks Division Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Wendy Mason
Acting Public Information Officer, EMNRD
May 18, 2022
New Mexico State Parks announces temporary closures and restrictions due to extreme fire danger
SANTA FE – The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) State Parks Division announced Manzano Mountains, Hyde Memorial, Pecos Canyon, Cimarron Canyon, and Fenton Lake State Parks will close until further notice on Thursday, May 19, due to extreme fire danger. The ongoing and nearby Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire have clearly demonstrated the severity of current fire conditions. The fires are currently estimated to have burned more than 300,000 acres.
“State Park closures are the best option for public safety and preservation of our diverse natural and cultural resources and uniquely New Mexican traditions,” said State Parks Director Toby Velasquez. “Our state is facing record level fuel and fire conditions, fire behavior that is beyond normal experience, and no predicted weather relief for an extended period. We must prioritize our communities and first responders. All it takes is one irresponsible action and there is just too much at risk right now.
On Thursday, the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National Forests will implement closures across National Forest System lands, roads, and trails to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger in the restricted areas.
The state also announced that all state parks have implemented the State Forester Fire Restriction Order which places restrictions on all non-municipal, nonfederal, and non-tribal lands statewide, prohibiting smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, and open fires.
Coyote Creek and Morphy Lake State Parks remain closed until further notice due to the impact of the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Eagle Nest Lake State Park has area closures due to its role in supporting fire suppression efforts.
Hyde Memorial State Park will honor confirmed reservations for the use of the Historic Hyde Lodge. Visitors who have reserved campsites or group sites at any of these parks during these closures should contact Reserve America at 1-877-664-7787 for full refunds or transfers of pre-paid reservable campsites.
Twenty-eight state parks remain open, and fees and stay limits are waived for evacuees from communities impacted by the wildfires.
For more information on all New Mexico State Parks, please visit our website at www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/ or call 1-888-667-2757. For information on wildfires actively burning in New Mexico, log on to the New Mexico Fire Information website at https://nmfireinfo.com/.