Cibola National Forest & Grasslands Fire Danger Rating Updates per Districts

May 24, 2023 – The fire danger ratings for 3 districts on the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands have updates.

Black Kettle Ranger District: Moderate

Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: Moderate (Rating Update)

Magdalena Ranger District: Moderate

Mount Taylor Ranger District: Moderate

Sandia Ranger District: Moderate (Rating Update)

Mountainair Ranger District: Moderate (Rating Update)

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.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola