Mt. Taylor Ranger District Fire Danger Rating Updated to HIGH

Fire Danger Ratings for Districts on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands as of April 16, 2025:
Black Kettle Ranger District: Moderate
Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: Moderate
Magdalena Ranger District: HIGH
Mount Taylor Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update)
Sandia Ranger District: Moderate
Mountainair Ranger District: Moderate

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.

The Southwest Area is currently at Preparedness Level 2. 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.

For more information on interagency fire incidents and resources go to the Southwest Coordination Center website. https://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/

For additional prevention and preparedness resources go to Firewise USA™ http://www.firewise.org