AFR and Open Space close areas in the East Mountains
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque Fire Rescue, in coordination with Albuquerque Open Space, has made the decision to close the East Mountain open space areas due to the threat of wildfires.
City officials said the heavy fuel loads, extraordinary drought conditions and remote locations are among the deciding factors in closing these open spaces.
In addition, these spaces are farther away than other Open Space properties, which can increase the amount of time it can take to respond to an emergency.
East Mountain Open Spaces that will be closed include:
- Carolina Canyon
- Gutierrez-Milne
- San Antonito
- Juan Tomas
- Loma Ponderosa
- Golden
- Placitas
City officials said Open Space volunteers will be helping the city to patrol the East Mountain Open Spaces during these closures. Volunteers have been trained to identify signs of suspicious activity, improper use, and other warning signs of immediate danger.
AFR will continue to keep the Bosque, Foothill Open Spaces, and Petroglyph areas open.
“Keeping the members of our community in those open spaces have proven to help with our response times and reporting suspicious behavior,” AFR Fire Chief Gene Gallegos said. “This continues to be a One Albuquerque effort and we ask everyone, if you see something, say something.”