Officials Urge Caution as Fire Danger Rises and Recreation Season Begins
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As warmer weather begins to settle over Cibola County and more residents look toward hiking, sightseeing and outdoor work, local officials are urging the public to take extra caution amid countywide burn restrictions, persistent drought and changing recreation conditions at El Malpais National Monument.
A countywide burn ban is now in effect under Emergency Ordinance 01-2025, according to the Cibola County Fire Marshal, as officials respond to current and expected weather conditions that could elevate wildfire danger across the region.
The Village of Milan also implemented a temporary burn ban until further notice.
In a public notice, Milan Fire Chief Daniel Urioste said the move was prompted by critical fire weather conditions and asked for public cooperation in protecting life, property and the environment from the threat of fire.
Urioste also warned residents to avoid outdoor burning this week even if they already hold a burn permit, and to avoid spark-emitting outdoor work as moisture levels are expected to drop and winds remain gusty from Tuesday through Thursday.
Bluewater Village also announced a temporary no-burn period until further notice. Fire Chief Preston Neff said local fire departments agreed to restrict burning because of high winds and dry conditions.
The restrictions come as drought remains firmly in place across the county.
According to U.S. Drought Monitor data, 100% of Cibola County is in drought. Of that total, 31.42% is classified in moderate drought and 68.58% in severe drought.
That dry backdrop is especially concerning as windy weather continues.
Weather information for the Grants area at El Malpais National Monument showed northwest winds of 33 mph early March 17, with sunny and warm conditions expected to continue through midweek. The forecast called for a high near 75 degrees Tuesday and 82 degrees Wednesday, followed by cool overnight lows in the 30s.
The combination of drought, warmth and wind can quickly turn a spark into a fastmoving grass or brush fire, officials say, making burn bans and public caution especially important as spring progresses toward summer.
At the same time, recreation season is beginning.
El Malpais National Monument remains open in large part for outdoor recreation, though park visitors are being advised to check conditions carefully before heading out.
According to the National Park Service, surface hiking trails and overlook areas remain open, including Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, Lava Falls and the Zuni-Acoma Trail. The El Malpais Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Big Tubes Area hiking trail also remains open even while the monument’s lava tube caves are closed for the season. All park lava tube caves are closed at least until April 30 to protect hibernating bats.
Meanwhile, the El Calderon Trail and parking area remain closed for construction and are expected to stay closed through late May 2026, in a public notice the parks service announced this is part of a major improvement project.
NPS Road 100 remains open for local traffic only, while the Continental Divide Trail remains open for thru-hikers.
For visitors heading into the monument’s more rugged areas, road conditions remain a key concern.
While much of El Malpais can be reached from paved state highways 117 and 53, some destinations, including the Big Tubes area require travel on primitive dirt roads that can become difficult or impassable depending on weather.
As of the March 14 Road report, NPS 300 to Big Tubes was described as dry and rutted, with many ruts reaching nine inches deep.
The Park Service recommends a high-clearance vehicle. Beyond Big Tubes, the road is described as very rough and only accessible to highclearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. CR42 to NPS 300 was also reported dry and rutted.
The Park Service warns that unpaved roads in the monument can quickly become muddy and hazardous after rain or snow, and that drivers are responsible for removing their own stuck vehicles. In other words, El Malpais is beautiful, but it does not come with complimentary towing.
As recreation picks up, officials are also encouraging the public to recreate responsibly. The Park Service is asking visitors to check closures, weather and fire restrictions before leaving home.