ABQ discusses the future of the Bosque

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The fire on the Bosque over the weekend has some authorities asking to close the Bosque, again.

A meeting between the city and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District considered what to do next.

New Mexicans can expect by the end of the week to have Stage Two fire restrictions in Albuquerque.
 
Last year was the first year for a full closure of the Bosque. Now, with the continuing dry weather and extreme fire conditions, there is a good chance it will be closed again.

"I'm not at liberty to talk about which level we'll be using... All the key stake holders need to be involved," said AFD fire chief James Breen.

Breen said he recommended more fire restrictions, and they will be announcing at least Stage Two restrictions in the city.

Stage Two means there can be no smoking, fireworks or any fires at any parks or opens spaces in the city.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District's Tom Thorpe says we are seeing the same drought conditions we had last year, when the entire Bosque was closed off.

"What the city might like, might not be what Corrales would appreciate. It may not be what Valencia County enjoys, or may not be what Socorro needs," said Thorpe.

He adds that those areas are even drier than Albuquerque and predicts big decisions like closing parts of the Bosque will likely be made there, first.

"We have to assess it day to day to day and things change very quickly," said Thorpe.

Albuquerque has been under Stage One fire restrictions since June.

After this weekend's fire along the river,  the mayor predicted the Bosque would close soon.