NEWS RELEASE

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

2113 Osuna Road NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 346-3900

www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola

www.facebook.com/cibolanf

https://x.com/cibola_n

Area Closure for Placitas Recreation Area
for Public Health and Safety

PNM emergency maintenance of transmission line structure

Order Number 03-03-05-25-15

Albuquerque, NM, September 26, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF&NGs) has issued an area closure order (03-03-05-25-15) for the Placitas Recreation Area South of NM-165 on the Sandia Ranger District, described below and shown on the attached map.

The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety during PNM emergency maintenance of the Reeves to Santa Fe 115kV transmission line pole structure.

This Order shall be in effect from September 28th, 2025, at 1800 through October 1st, 2025 at 2400, unless rescinded.

This Closure Order includes the area shown in the attached map south of NM-165. The described area is located south of NM-165 and east of Forest Road 445 on the Sandia Ranger District.

Trails included within this closure order are as follows:

•  Forest Service Road 445 From New Mexico highway 165 to Piedra Lisa-North Trailhead (north of FSR 445)

•  05051 Strip Mine From its intersection with Tablazon (north end of closure) to its intersection with Gear Grinder (north end of closure).

•  05035 Chalk Dust from its intersection with Lower Pine (north end of closure) to its intersection with Gear Grinder (north end of closure)

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Sandia Ranger District, described below and shown on the attached map.

1.  Going into or being upon the Described Area.

2.  Being on a road within the Described Area.

3.  Being on a trail within the Described Area. 

The following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.  Persons with a Forest Service permit, contract or agreement specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

2.  Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2)].

3.  Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

The official order 03-03-05-25-15 will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website under Alerts.

For more information on this order contact:

Sandia Ranger District Office – Tijeras, NM (505) 281-3304

Cibola NF&NGs Forest Supervisor’s Office - Albuquerque, NM, (575) 346-3900

PNM: Eric.Chavez2@pnm.com (505)-967-7624