CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — As of mid-August, Cibola County remains entirely in drought, though no new wildfires are actively burning within county lines. Confusion about a large nearby blaze—the Vereda Blanca Fire—has prompted local officials to clarify its actual location and status.
Vereda Blanca Fire Not in Cibola County
The Vereda Blanca Fire, currently estimated at 1,307 acres with 4 percent containment, is burning in the Mount Taylor Ranger District northeast of Grants. While the fire is managed under the Cibola National Forest system, it is not located within Cibola County. The fire sits inside Sandoval County, about 18.9 miles northeast of Seboyeta.
Operations continue with 144 personnel cutting and chipping slash to reinforce fire lines. The fire was caused by lightning on August 8 and is burning in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine. The latest activity involves masticators working along the perimeter, while crews monitor and manage internal hotspots that pose no threat to containment lines.
No evacuations are in effect, and no communities are currently threatened, though officials note the presence of sensitive cultural sites and wildlife habitat within the fire’s vicinity. Smoke remains visible in several areas, including Grants, Milan, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Jemez. Public safety remains a priority, and drone use in the area is strictly prohibited as it risks grounding air operations.
No Active Fires in Cibola County
While multiple blazes have impacted Cibola throughout the spring and summer—including the Alamo, Laguna Mason, and Rainbow Springs Fires—no wildfires are currently burning in the county as of August 18.
Drought Conditions Still Unchanged
The August 12 U.S. Drought Monitor (latest available as of August 18) shows 100 percent of Cibola County remains in drought. Of that, 83.94 percent is classified in Severe Drought (D2), while the remaining 16.06 percent is in Extreme Drought (D3). There has been no change in drought classification since early July.
Precipitation has been sparse. Although June saw a modest boost in rainfall, the year-to-date total remains below normal by more than an inch. Bluewater Lake has dropped from over 10,000 acre-feet in April to around 6,000 acre-feet this month, and Rio San Jose’s water levels remain low, fluctuating between 2.05 and 2.20 feet in recent weeks.
Fire Restrictions Vary by Jurisdiction
As of press time, there are no federal fire restrictions in effect on the Mt. Taylor or Magdalena Ranger Districts after Stage 1 restrictions were lifted August 1. However, Stage II restrictions remain in place at Bluewater Lake State Park through at least September 30. These prohibit open flames, charcoal, and wood stoves, even in developed areas.
Cibola County, under Ordinance 2022-003, continues to enforce a countywide burn ban that applies to all open burning and fire pits. The Village of Milan is also following this restriction. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact their local fire chief or the County Fire Marshal’s Office.
As the region waits for meaningful moisture, the risks of wildfire and drought continue to define the summer of 2025.