Fire Restrictions Lifted on Kiowa and Rita-Blanca National Grasslands

Effective Friday, September 25

(Albuquerque, NM, September 25, 2026) – Due to weather patterns and increased moisture, fire officials on the Cibola National Forest are lifting fire restrictions for the Kiowa and Rita-Blanca National Grasslands effective Friday, September 25, 2026 at 8:00 a.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 received on the Kiowa and Rita-Blanca National Grasslands.

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.

For more information contact:
Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands: 714 Main St., Clayton, NM 88415 (575-374-9652)

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