Fire Information

Emergency Manager /Fire Marshal

Cibola County Fire Information


Ready, Set Go! Program 

Your Local Fire Service Announces Program to Save Lives and Property During a Wildland Fire

Grants, NM, April 25, 2022 — Cibola County Fire Departments in collaboration with the City of Grants and the Village of Milan are launching a new program in Cibola County designed to teach individuals who live in high-risk wildland fire areas how to best prepare themselves and their properties against wildland fire threats. The Ready, Set, Go! Program works collaboratively with defensible space education programs and provides the tools for the fire service to educate individuals on preparedness, situational awareness when a fire starts, and to act early for the safety of your family and emergency responders. 

The Ready, Set, Go! Program is the result of a nation-wide discussion on how to protect homes and lives in what the fire service calls the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). WUI is where development meets natural vegetation and the ember zone. An ember zone is an area where the wind driven ember fall-out from a wildland fire can threaten property and lives. Some of the areas in Cibola County that are identified as a Wildland Urban Interface, include but not limited to, Bluewater Acres, Candy Kitchen, La Jara Subdivision, Lobo Canyon-Cantina Acres and surrounding, Oso Ridge, Pinehill, San Mateo, Timberlake, Etc.

The Ready, Set, Go! Program seeks to share information with residents on what you can do to successfully prepare for a wildland fire. Speak with your local fire department about your area’s threat for wildland fire and learn more about the WUI. Fire season is an increasing threat and a year-round reality in many areas. Do your part to be prepared. Follow the simple steps of the program below:

  • Ready – Be ready.  Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Create your Personal Wildland Fire Action Plan.
    • Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe place. 
    • Plan escape routes and make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action and practice it regularly.
  • Set – Situational awareness.  Pack your emergency items. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, your local fire department, and public safety.
  • Go – Act early!  Follow your Personal Wildland Fire Action Plan. Doing so will not only support your safety but will allow emergency responders to best maneuver resources to combat the fire. 

Don’t let the first time you educate yourself on wildland fire be in the aftermath, join with us and be a part of the wildland fire solution today! 

Contact Your Local Fire Department or go to Fire Information (cibolacountynm.com)  for more information on the Ready, Set, Go! Program.


Ready, Set, Go Program Guide
Ready, Set, Go Spanish language Guide

Press Releases

Cibola Mountain Districts to implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective April 29th

Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts

Albuquerque, NM – April 27, 2022 – Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) will implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective April 29th at 8:00 a.m. per Order 03-0724. This order is for all National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Cibola NF & NGs in counties of Cibola, McKinley, Socorro, Catron, Sierra, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Lincoln within the State of New Mexico as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A

Forest supervisors and fire managers weigh aspects such as local, regional and national fire preparedness level, increased fire activity, expected weather conditions, user activities that relate to potential for increased human-caused ignitions, availability of resources and significant social, political, or economic impacts to move in and out of restrictions and closures. Considerations always include discussions to understand impacts and challenges with neighboring units, federal and non-federal. “We have carefully considered the fire outlook and determined that Stage 2 fire restrictions are needed to minimize the risk of human-caused fires,” Matt Rau, Fire Management Staff Officer.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following activities on the Cibola NF & NGs:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of vegetation and flammable material.
  • Blasting, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
  • Using an explosive of any kind. (Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on national forests.)
  • Operating any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, including chainsaws, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Driving off designated roads. Visitors may park in areas cleared of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in designated parking areas.

Visitors may use stoves, grills and lanterns fueled by propane or other liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that meet manufacturer’s safety specifications. If you plan to visit the forest, be sure to practice One Less Spark vehicle safety guidelines  by securing chains, checking tire pressure and properly maintaining your brakes.

Forest visitors are asked to use extreme caution when fire restrictions are in place. Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months. The fire restrictions are in place until Dec. 31, 2022, unless rescinded earlier.

Federal, state and local officers and members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force are exempt from this order.

Official Order 03-0724 is posted on Cibola National Forest and Grasslands Alerts & Notices.

Previously announced Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Cibola National Grasslands (TX, OK and NM)

  • Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: (Order: 03-0723) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective on April 18, 2022.
  • Black Kettle/McClellan Creek Ranger District – Oklahoma: (Order: 03-0722) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective April 15, 2022
  • Lake Marvin & McClellan Creek Texas Areas: (Order: 03-0719) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective March 21, 2022

Additional information regarding fire restrictions call:
Magdalena Ranger District Office: 575-854-2281 
Mountainair Ranger District Office: 505-847-2990 
Mt. Taylor Ranger District Office: 505-287-8833 
Sandia Ranger District Office: 505-281-3304 
Black Kettle NGs Ranger District Office: 580-497-2143 
Kiowa and Rita Blanca NGs Ranger District Office: 575-374-9652 
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nora Meyers Sackett
Press Secretary, Office of the Governor
nora.sackett@state.nm.us
(505) 690-7313

April 25, 2022
Governor urges local restrictions on fireworks due to wildfires, drought conditions

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed an executive order urging New Mexico municipalities and counties to ban the retail sale of fireworks in their communities. The request for additional preventative action comes as numerous wildfires burn throughout New Mexico and severe drought conditions persist across the state. The executive order is attached 

While state statute does not enable the executive to implement a statewide ban on fireworks, the executive order follows the implementation of statewide fire restrictions prohibiting fireworks, outdoor smoking, campfires and open burning for all non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands.  

“Fire conditions across New Mexico remain extremely dangerous – it’s essential that we mitigate potential wildfires by removing as much risk as possible,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “While many of us like to celebrate with fireworks, no momentary display is worth causing a wildfire that could threaten the lives and property of your neighbors.” 

Strong winds, dry fuels and low humidity around the state has resulted in over 160,000 acres across New Mexico burning in recent weeks. According to the United States Drought Monitor, over 70% of New Mexico is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought conditions, with 93% of the state experiencing at least severe drought conditions. Multiple counties and tribal nations across New Mexico have recently implemented burn bans, in addition to federal authorities imposing Stage I and Stage II fires restrictions on federal lands throughout the state.  
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