Cibola County Emergency Services & Management

02/04/2026

Announcement- Road CLOSURE February 23rd-27th, 2026. For more information call RNDOT (505) 876-9676.

01/22/2026

WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations generally
between 1 inch and 5 inches except higher amounts up to 8 inches
above 7,500 feet.

* WHERE...Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro
Area, West Central Highlands, Southwest Mountains, Upper Tularosa
Valley, and San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands.

* WHEN...From late Friday night through late Saturday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on snow packed or icy road conditions. This includes
portions of I-40 and I-25.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Rain is likely in many of these areas below
7,500 feet Friday and Friday night, with a transition over to snow
on Saturday when snow levels drop below valley floors.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

01/08/2026

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM
MST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations generally
between 2 and 6 inches with locally higher amounts of 6 to 12
inches above 8,000 feet. Whitewater Baldy peak in Catron county
will receive higher amounts of 18 to 24 inches. Winds gusting as
high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Western Mountains.

* WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 5 AM MST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Tire chains may be
necessary if traveling through mountain passes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will initially be high between
7,000 and 8,000 feet Wednesday evening before gradually lowering to
all areas late Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your
vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions, dial
511 or 1.800.432.4269, or visit http://nmroads.com.

12/14/2025

New Mexico’s fire departments are looking for more local heroes — and you could be one of them.

Whether you’re interested in volunteering or starting a career in fire service, your local department can help you get started. Training is provided, and every role makes a difference.

Reach out to your local fire department to learn more. New Mexico needs you.

08/01/2025

Posted 7.31.25 at 1816

Cibola NM-McKinley NM-Sandoval NM-
614 PM MDT Thu Jul 31 2025
..FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive
rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and west central New Mexico,
including the following counties, in north central New Mexico,
southwestern Sandoval. In west central New Mexico, north central
Cibola and east central McKinley.

* WHEN...Until 915 PM MDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 614 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream
flooding. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen
between San Mateo and Prewitt.
- Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inches are
expected over the area. This additional rain will result in
minor flooding.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Grants, Milan, San Mateo, Prewitt, Bluewater Lake and
Bluewater Lake State Park.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Arroyos, streams, and normally dry rivers can become raging killer
currents in a matter of minutes. Water in arroyos can travel many
miles and take hours to reach your location from upstream rain areas.

&&

07/22/2025

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and west central New Mexico,
including the following areas, in north central New Mexico, Jemez
Mountains. In west central New Mexico, West Central Mountains.

* WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Thunderstorms moving slowly north and northeast with rainfall
rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are expected again Tuesday. A
higher risk for flash flooding will exist across areas that
have received daily rounds of heavy rain from thunderstorms
the last few days, including areas around Los Alamos and
Bandelier National Monument.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

05/12/2025

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING.....FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.....FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from 3 PM this afternoon to 8 PM MDT this evening. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. In addition...a Fire Weather Watch has been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...West Central Mountains (ZONE 105) today (along and west of the continental divide) from 3 to 8 PM, then Tuesday and Wednesday (zone-wide) from 11 AM to 9 PM.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...For today: southwest 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. For Tuesday: southwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. For Wednesday: west 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For today: 10-15 percent, except up to 18 percent on the peaks of the Chuska Mountains. For Tuesday: 9-14 percent. For Wednesday: 8-15 percent, except up to 18 percent on the peaks of the Chuska Mountains.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended..

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.

04/25/2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 7 PM MDT TODAY FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY DUE TO GUSTY WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 7 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR ALL OF NORTHERN, CENTRAL, AND WESTERN NM DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER...

04/17/2025

Effective Friday April 18, 2025 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 17, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on all National Forest System (NFS) la…