Vandalism Closes Carson Forest Area

Forest Service officials have issued an order closing public access to a Carson National Forest site on Piedmont Road near Canon because of repeated instances of vandalism.

Martin Chavez, Carson National Forest supervisor, issued the order closing public access to the Carson administrative site located on Piedmont Road, north of U.S. 64 in Canon. The site is used for administrative purposes such as housing the Carson National Forest Hot Shot Crew, storing supplies and equipment and serving as a work area. This site has continually experienced vandalism and graffiti, and restricting public access was a step in trying to minimize the problem, officials said.

On the night of July 28, vandals struck again, demolishing the vehicle of a Carson Hot Shot crew member.

“It’s a shame that our Hot Shot crews are out risking their lives fighting fires and have to come back to base to find that their personal property has been destroyed,” said Marcus Trujillo, fire staff officer for the Carson.

The incident is under investigation by the State Police and Forest Service law enforcement agents.