Fire Restrictions Lifted on Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

Effective Friday, September 18

(Albuquerque, NM, September 17, 2026) –Due to increased moisture and favorable weather across central New Mexico, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will lift Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts effective Friday, September 18, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. MDT. This rescinds Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order #03-03-00-26-20. Stage 1 restrictions have been in effect across both districts since May 8.

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

With restrictions lifted, campfires are again permitted outside developed recreation sites. Forest visitors and partners are reminded that 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 03-03-07-26-17

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)
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)