April 18, 2025 
The fire danger rating for the Mountainair Ranger District has been updated to HIGH.
Fire Danger Ratings for Districts of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands:
Black Kettle Ranger District: Moderate
Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: Moderate
Magdalena Ranger District: HIGH
Mount Taylor Ranger District: HIGH (Stage 1 Fire Restriction Implement 4/18/2025 on Mt Taylor RD)
Sandia Ranger District: Moderate
Mountainair Ranger District: HIGH (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.
Per previous notification: Mount Taylor Ranger District has implemented Stage 1 Fire Restriction effective today, April 18, 2025.
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. More information on interagency fire incidents, restrictions and resources go to the Southwest Coordination Center website at https://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/
For additional prevention and preparedness resources go to Firewise USA™ http://www.firewise.org
All Cibola NF & NGs fire information will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website and New Mexico Fire Information website.
NM Fire Info 
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