Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands Moves to High Fire Danger Rating

Albuquerque, NM – April 13, 2022 –The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands has moved to High Fire Danger Rating on all ranger districts.

The Fire Danger Rating is calculated by measuring the dryness of wood, grass and other combustible material, weather conditions and the terrain. The combination of these factors results in one of five fire danger levels: low, moderate, high, very high and extreme.

Fire managers consider several factors when elevating the fire danger level. Data from Remote Weather Stations (RAWS) located across the forest and grasslands are aggregated together, producing the Energy Release Component (ERC). As live fuels cure and dead fuels dry, the ERC will increase and can be described as a build-up index. Each daily calculation considers the past 7 days in calculating the new number. Fire managers and planners have found that the ERC can be used as a decision tool to prepare for an approaching fire season. This data is evaluated in addition to the number of human-caused fires, red flag and critical fire days.

Before each forest visit, always check for fire restrictions on Cibola website. The following fire restrictions are currently in place on the Cibola NF & NGs:

Black Kettle NGs Lake Marvin & McClellan Creek TX Areas Stage II Fire Restriction – Order 03-0719

Black Kettle NGs Roger Mills County within OK Stage II Fire Restriction – Order 03-0722

The Southwest Area is currently at Preparedness Level 3. Preparedness Levels run on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest, and are dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity, and resource availability. More information on interagency fire incidents and resources go to the Southwest Coordination Center website.

All Cibola NF & NGs fire information will be posted on the  Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook  & Twitter pages.

For further information contact the Cibola NF & NGs district offices:

Magdalena Ranger District Office: 575-854-2281

Mountainair Ranger District Office: 505-847-2990

Mt. Taylor Ranger District Office: 505-287-8833

Sandia Ranger District Office: 505-281-3304

Black Kettle NGs Ranger District Office: 580-497-2143

Kiowa and Rita Blanca NGs Ranger District Office: 575-374-9652

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900

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