Fire Restrictions Lifted on Mount Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts

Effective Tuesday, July 28

(Albuquerque, NM, July 27, 2026) – Due to weather patterns and increased moisture across western New Mexico, fire officials on the Cibola National Forest are lifting fire restrictions for the Mount Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts effective Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. 

Fire restrictions are implemented to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of extreme fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions. The decision to lift fire restrictions was made based on fuel moisture levels and the amount of precipitation both received and forecasted across the two districts.

Forest visitors and partners are reminded that fire season is not over, and fire prevention remains a shared responsibility.Fire Prevention Reminders:

• Avoid building campfires if weather conditions are dry, hot, or windy.
• It is illegal to leave a campfire unattended. If you have a campfire, fully extinguish it before leaving. Use plenty of water to drown the coals, stir the water and coals together, and use the back of your hand to ensure all heat sources have been extinguished.
• Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest lands.
• Be careful with cigarettes: extinguish and dispose of them properly.
• Refrain from parking hot vehicles over tall vegetation, which can cause spot fires.
• Do not drag chains behind vehicles as the sparks generated are a fire hazard.

Previously announced fire restrictions remain in effect for:

• Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-07-26-08
• Mountainair & Sandia Ranger Districts: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05

Fire Restriction orders are posted on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands website at: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.

For additional information on fire restrictions within New Mexico go to: Southwest Fire Restriction Map

For more information contact the appropriate district office:
Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands: 714 Main St., Clayton, NM 88415 (575-374-9652)
Magdalena Ranger District: 203 First St., Magdalena, NM 87825 (575-854-2281)
Mt. Taylor Ranger District: 1800 Lobo Canyon Rd., Grants, NM 87020 (505-287-8833)
Mountainair Ranger District: 40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036 (505-847-2990)
Sandia Ranger District: 11776 Hwy. 337, Tijeras, NM 87059 (505-281-3304)