06-09-2018, 12:21 PM
StoneHendge Wrote:Sticks - you're my hero. A Front Ranger who forgoes the weekly "Who Can Fit The Most Sh!t on Top of Their Subaru Competition." Given the traffic through the valley thus far this summer, the finals for the "Who Can Go The Longest Without Ever Thinking to Grease Their Trailer's Axle Bearings" competition, held every year on the July 4th weekend, should be a doozy.
I was under the impression that the Sporting Rifle Matches were held on NFS land, but I could be wrong. Nonetheless, this is what I was referring to. As of June 1, human beings are literally not allowed off pavement in the entire Sante Fe National Forest, which is public land effectively owned by all citizens:
"SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST
FOREST CLOSURE
The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the Santa Fe National Forest as described below in the following counties: Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Sandoval, Santa Fe, San Miguel and Mora, within the state of New Mexico. The “Restricted Area” is described below, and is depicted on the map found here order and map
PROHIBITIONS
• Going into or being upon the Restricted Area
EXEMPTIONS
• Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
• Any Federal, State or Local Officer, or member of an organized firefighting force or other forest service personnel in the performance of an official duty.
• Residents using roads in the Restricted Area to the extent necessary to access their private property.
RESTRICTED AREA
The Restricted Area includes all National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Santa Fe National Forest within the following counties: Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Sandoval, Santa Fe, San Miguel and Mora, within the state of New Mexico. See map at order and map
PURPOSE
This order is necessary to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger."
The restrictions have been implemented in other areas, including Bandolier as well as some BLM lands.
Hey, it's a drought and it's a bad one. But it's a region that will always have droughts and always had fires started by lightning. Until we showed up and started putting them out. Leading to denser, less healthy forests and grasslands that compete for a limited supply of water and that increase fire risk. If the Southwest makes it through this drought without a major catastrophe, the fire risks will only be higher during the next drought. It's the problem no one has an answer to and the conversation no one wants to have. But in the meantime, the closures have a devastating economic impact and the Federal Government essentially ends up picking winners and losers. I'm surprised Stage 1 hasn't been implemented where I am yet, and if the current trend continues, I can see Stage 2 by the weekend of the 4th. Stage 3 and a pretty significant portion of my business gets hit hard. As well as my employees who get paid for the hours. But hey, the Globalists insured $5 million 2nd and 3rd homes up on the mountain will be safer. Maybe I could stomach the concept better if fires that arise from natural causes (ie lightening) were allowed to burn their course....
SH:
Here is what you said. "The federal government basically tells you that you can't be trusted to use YOUR land."
I live about a mile from a huge National Forest. Restrictions and bans on camping, back country travel, etc when it gets into July and August. Same in the winter due to avalanche dangers. Support such restrictions 100%.
Been around more than one fire on firing ranges and have seen just how fast and massive they can become in a matter of minutes. And how long it can take to get one under control. And the amount of destruction they can cause. Lightning is one thing. People lighting up a camp fire or doing some outdoor burning during a ban is quite another. Just like many gun clubs around here that ban the use of tracers for most if not all of the year. Some ranges actually close due to the risk of sparks from jacketed bullets hitting rocks down range. It is a very real risk, not made up.
The Feds and local governments are smart to have such regulations and the NRA is smart to close off that area to shooting during extreme fire dangers. One time where I agree with a government telling me what I can and can't do on my own land.
LR55