CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As of June 24, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 100 percent of Cibola County remains in drought, with nearly 62 percent under Severe Drought (D2) and another 38 percent in Extreme Drought (D3).
Though May brought a slight bump in moisture— ranking as the 48th wettest May in 131 years—2025 still ranks as the 25th driest year to date, with 1.77 inches of precipitation below normal. Bluewater Lake continues to decline, now holding just 8,276 acrefeet, while snowpack has completely vanished from the Zuni/Bluewater River Basin. No portion of the county is currently drought-free.
Against this backdrop, two new wildfires broke out last week in the northwest section of the county near the McKinley County line. The Rainbow Springs Fire and the Route 43 Fire, both reported near Zuni Pueblo, burned 300 acres and 30 acres respectively. Winds gusted to nearly 28 mph as humidity dropped to 7 percent, creating dangerous conditions for firefighting. Both fires were declared out by June 19.
No active burns are currently ongoing in Cibola County. However, multiple large wildfires continue to burn across New Mexico, including the Trout Fire north of Silver City (46,000+ acres) and the Buck Fire in western Socorro County (57,000+ acres). To the south, the Desert Willow Complex in Los Lunas has now reached 40 percent containment, while Lincoln County crews work to control the Skyline Fire near Hondo.
Local officials continue to stress that even one spark could turn into the next Alamo Fire.
Burn bans remain in place across Cibola County, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan. Stage 1 restrictions are in effect on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District, and the Cibola County Commission approved an emergency ordinance restricting firework use in unincorporated areas and the Village of Milan.
Drought by the Data
Every week, the U.S. Drought Monitor releases updated data to track the scope and severity of drought conditions across the country. For Cibola County, the June 24 report paints a sobering but consistent picture: 100 percent of residents—an estimated 27,213 people— remain affected by drought, with no improvement from last week or last month.
While May 2025 ranked as the 48th wettest May in 131 years, the rainfall was only 0.08 inches above normal—a statistical bump that barely dented the larger trend. So far this year, precipitation in Cibola is 1.77 inches below normal, making 2025 the 25th driest year to date in over a century of recordkeeping.
The NIDIS drought intensity map classifies land into five categories, from D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D4 (Exceptional Drought).
In Cibola, 61.88 percent of the county is now in Severe Drought (D2), and 38.12 percent in Extreme Drought (D3). There are currently no areas labeled as D0, D1, or D4, which means the entire county is experiencing significant to extreme drought—without any areas of relief.
This directly affects agriculture. According to estimates from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the drought is impacting 448 acres of hay, 30 acres of haylage, and more than 13,000 head of livestock, including 10,281 cattle and 3,026 sheep. These figures matter not just to ranchers, but to the local economy, food supply, and the region’s ability to withstand prolonged climate stress. Residents are urged to use extreme caution, follow all restrictions, and report any signs of smoke or fire.