Santa Fe, NM – Officials with the Santa Fe National Forest have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever cut down hundreds of trees to create what are believed to be illegal ski runs.

Hikers in the Pecos Wilderness Area discovered the damage and reported it to Forest Service officials, who believe that the cutting — using axes and hand saws — has been going on for at least three years. The affected area is just north of the Santa Fe Ski Area and south and east of the Winsor Trail in the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District.

Santa Fe National Forest officials have turned the matter over to the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations division. Unapproved felling of trees on Forest Service land is a federal crime, with punishment possibly including time in jail.

If you have information about this incident, contact U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations at (505) 842-3363.