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NEW WILDFIRE START: Thomas Fire on Sandia Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – July 21, 2023 New Fire Start Location: North of Oak Flats and south of FR 242 along the boundary of USFS Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.Start Date: July 21, 2023 Approx. Start Time: 1600 Size: .10 acresCause: Lightning strike – single tree.Resources: USFS Sandia RD Patrol 35, Payette Engine […]

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Wildfire Start – Rowden Tank Fire on Magdalena Ranger District

Reported fire start date / time: July 19, 2023 / 1600. Cause: Lightning Strike Size: 7.5 acres. Location: Remote mountainous terrain in the northwest Magdalena Mts. on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Responding Resources: USFS Magdalena RD Apache Kid Crew, Firestorm Type 2 IA and […]

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New Wildfire Start – Hardy Fire

Magdalena Ranger District – Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands Reported start date / time: July 14, 2023 / 1337. Cause: Lightning Strike Size: 2 acres. Location: Remote mountainous terrain of Hardy Ridge in the southwest Magdalena Mts. southwest of Italian Peak on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest […]

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Water Canyon & Whiskey Hill Wildfires – FINAL Updates

Magdalena Ranger District Albuquerque, NM – July 14, 2023 This will be the final release for the Water Canyon and Whiskey Hill Wildfires on the Magdalena Ranger District unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information. “In addition to our Cibola NF & NGs fire managers and support staff, we extend our appreciation to all […]

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Whiskey Hill Wildfire – July 12 Update

Magdalena Ranger District Albuquerque, NM – July 12, 2023 UPDATE Start Date / Time: July 11, 2023 / 1536 Cause:  Lightning strike. Size: 650 acres Location:  Southeast of San Mateo Mts on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. The origin of the fire start was on Forest Service land […]

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Water Canyon Wildfire – July 12 Update

Magdalena Ranger District Albuquerque, NM – July 12, 2023 Start Date / Time: July 10, 2023 / 1443 Cause: Lightning Strike on July 10, 2023         Size: 71 acres Location: Water Canyon on the Magdalena Ranger District Resources on scene: USFS Salmon Rappelers from Central Idaho, Lincoln NF Smokey Bear Hot Shots, Idaho City Hot Shots […]

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NEW WILDFIRE START: Whiskey Hill Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – July 11, 2023 New Fire Start Location:  Southeast of San Mateo Mts on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. The origin of the fire start is on Forest Service land adjacent to State and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Reported start date / time: July […]

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Water Canyon Fire – July 11 Update

Lightning Strike Fire on Magdalena Ranger District Start Date / Time: July 10, 2023 / 1443 Cause: Lightning Strike         Size: 80 acres as of 1300 on 7/11/23 Location: Water Canyon on the Magdalena Ranger District Resources on scene: USFS Salmon Rappelers from Central Idaho, Lincoln NF Smokey Bear Hot Shots, Idaho City Hot Shots and […]

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Forest Stewards Youth Corps Hiring Members and Leaders for Fall Crew

Successful Candidates Will Work on National Forests, Jemez Pueblo The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF&NGs) is sharing employment and job training opportunities for young adults with the Forest Stewards Youth Corps.  The Forest Stewards Youth Corps Fall Fire and Fuels crew is now hiring Crew Members with Mountainair and Espanola US Forest Service […]

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Fire Resources Respond to Two Lightning Strike Fires on Magdalena Ranger District

Water Canyon & Timber Peak Fires – July 10 Water Canyon Fire:Start Date / Time: July 10, 2023 / 1443Cause: Lightning Strike        Size: 15 acres from air resource estimates.Location: Water Canyon on the Magdalena Ranger DistrictResources on scene: Firefighters from the USFS responding with rappelers, smoke jumpers and air attack due to steep rocky terrain.Containment: 0% […]

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Fire Danger Rating Update for Mt. Taylor Ranger District

The fire danger rating for the Mt Taylor Ranger District on the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands has been updated to VERY HIGH. Rating per District:Black Kettle Ranger District: ModerateKiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: ModerateMagdalena Ranger District: VERY HIGHMount Taylor Ranger District: VERY HIGH (Rating Update)Sandia Ranger District: HIGHMountainair Ranger District: VERY HIGH The […]

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Final Update on Chavez Fire – Sandia Ranger District

Reported start date / time: June 28, 2023 / 0600 Cause: Lightning Strike         Size: at 2:00 p.m. estimated to be at .10 acres. Location: Near the Faulty Trail, west of Cienega Recreation Area off Crest Highway, Hwy 536 on the Sandia Ranger District. Resources on scene: Forest Service. Fire behavior: Low intensity. Fuels: Timber and […]

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Lightning Strike Fire Start on Sandia Ranger District

Chavez Fire – June 28 Reported start date / time: June 28, 2023 / 0600 Cause: Lightning Strike         Size: at 8:00 a.m. it was estimated to be at .10 acres Location: West of Cienega Recreation Area off Crest Highway, Hwy 536. Resources on scene: Firefighters from the Cibola National Forest and Bernalillo County are on […]

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Cibola National Forest & Grasslands Updates Fire Danger Rating for Districts

The fire danger ratings for 3 districts on the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands have updates. Black Kettle Ranger District: ModerateKiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: ModerateMagdalena Ranger District: VERY HIGH (Rating Update)Mount Taylor Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update)Sandia Ranger District: HIGHMountainair Ranger District: VERY HIGH (Rating Update) The Fire Danger Rating is calculated by […]

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Cibola National Forest & Grasslands Fire Danger Rating Updates for Districts

The fire danger ratings for 3 districts on the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands have updates. Black Kettle Ranger District: ModerateKiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: ModerateMagdalena Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update)Mount Taylor Ranger District: ModerateSandia Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update)Mountainair Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update) The Fire Danger Rating is calculated by measuring the […]

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NEW FIRE START: Upper Bear Canyon within Sandia Wilderness

Albuquerque, NM – June 7, 2023 New Fire Start Location:  Upper Bear Canyon within the Sandia Wilderness on the Cibola National Forest. Start Date: June 7, 2023          Approx. Start Time: 1730       Size: .5 acres       Cause:  Possible lightning strike. Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer. Resources: Forest Service resources responding. Strategy: Full suppression. Smoke may be […]

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Magdalena Ranger District to Implement Corn Canyon Prescribed Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – June 6, 2023 – Fire Managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) plan to conduct previously announced prescribed fire operations on the Magdalena Ranger District Corn Canyon Unit 2a. Ignitions are planned to start as early as Wed. June 7 and continue thru Fri. June 9. Ignition […]

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Mountainair Ranger District Implements Chato Prescribed Fire

This morning, ignitions have started on the Chato Prescribed Fire on the Mountainair Ranger District. Ignition were dependent upon agency administrator approval and conditions being within the ranges outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Optimal conditions will result in effective smoke ventilation and dispersal and help achieve the desired effects needed to accomplish the burn […]

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Mt. Taylor Ranger District to Implement Redondo Prescribed Fire – Sawyer Block

As Early as May 29 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – May 29, 2023 – Fire Managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) plan to conduct previously announced prescribed fire operations on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District. Ignitions are planned to start as early as Mon. May 29 and continue thru Wed. May […]

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Magdalena Ranger District to Implement Corn Canyon Prescribed Fire

As Early as May 28 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – May 27, 2023 – Fire Managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) plan to conduct previously announced prescribed fire operations on the Magdalena Ranger District Corn Canyon Unit 2a. Ignitions are planned to start as early as Sun May 28 and continue […]

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