06/15/2026
Mt. Taylor Ranger District to
Implement Stage II Fire Restrictions
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District beginning Thursday June 18 at 8:00 a.m. due to increased fire danger.
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.
This Order (03-03-02-26-09) will be in effect on June 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM, and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2026, at 8:00 am or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
Stage II Fire Restrictions always prohibits the following:
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, on all lands and trails, unless solely for the purpose of parking in an area that is devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in areas that are designated for parking within developed recreation sites.
The following acts are prohibited from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm:
• Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire.
• Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
• Blasting or using any type of explosive which is under special use authorization.
Exemptions during Stage II:
• Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
• Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
• Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in the area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator.
• Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
• Purchasers of Commercial Timber Sale Contracts will follow the limitations included in C(T) 7.22 # – Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule – Table A, as provided in the contract.
A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
The official Fire Restriction orders are posted on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands website at: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
Previously announced Stage I Fire Restrictions remain in effect:
• Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: Stage I Fire Restriction
• Mountainair & Sandia Ranger Districts: Stage I Fire Restriction
• Magdalena Ranger District Stage I Fire Restriction
For additional information on fire restrictions within New Mexico go to: Southwest Fire Restriction Map
For more information contact the appropriate district office: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/offices
