SFNF Issues Closure Order for Cerro Pelado Fire Camp

SANTA FE, NM – May 3, 2022 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has issued a closure order to restrict public access to the area surrounding the base camp for firefighters working on the Cerro Pelado Fire. The order is effective from now until Dec. 31, 2022, unless rescinded earlier.

The Cerro Pelado Fire started on April 22 about 7 miles east of Jemez Springs on the Jemez Ranger District. The cause is under investigation. Updates on fire operations are posted on the SFNF website, www.nmfireinfo.com and Inciweb. The Cerro Pelado also has a dedicated Facebook page at facebook.com/2022.CerroPeladoFire. 

The SFNF issued a fire area closure order on April 26 to prohibit members of the public from entering all Forest Service lands and trails within an area roughly defined by NM Highway 4 on the west, Valles Caldera National Preserve on the north, Bandelier National Monument on the east, and Zia Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo on the south.

The recent order applies to all Forest Service land roughly defined by the Rio Guadalupe on the west, picking up Forest Road (FR) 376 and following it north/northeast, turning to the south at La Cueva and following the Jemez River to its confluence with the Rio Guadalupe.

Fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Cerro Pelado Fire.