State Fire Restrictions Take Effect as Drought Deepens Across Cibola County

  • The latest 7-day forecast shows a stronger chance of meaningful moisture across the Grants–El Malpais area, with totals generally projected around a half inch to three-quarters of an inch, and locally higher amounts possible. Courtesy of Drought.gov. Courtesy Photo
    The latest 7-day forecast shows a stronger chance of meaningful moisture across the Grants–El Malpais area, with totals generally projected around a half inch to three-quarters of an inch, and locally higher amounts possible. Courtesy of Drought.gov. Courtesy Photo
  • The last week brought mostly light, spotty moisture across Cibola County – enough to show up on the map, but not widespread enough to materially change drought conditions on its own. Drought.gov precipitation totals for the week ending April 3 show mostly trace to light moisture across the county, with only small pockets near Grants reaching around half-inch to an inch. Courtesy Photo
    The last week brought mostly light, spotty moisture across Cibola County – enough to show up on the map, but not widespread enough to materially change drought conditions on its own. Drought.gov precipitation totals for the week ending April 3 show mostly trace to light moisture across the county, with only small pockets near Grants reaching around half-inch to an inch. Courtesy Photo
  • For the week ending March 31, the Drought Monitor is saying the entire county is firmly in Severe Drought – no part of Cibola is shown as only “moderate,” and none is shown as “extreme” or “exceptional” on this update. Drought impacts are expected to be widespread, especially for rangeland, stock ponds, dryland vegetation, and early-season moisture. Courtesy Photo
    For the week ending March 31, the Drought Monitor is saying the entire county is firmly in Severe Drought – no part of Cibola is shown as only “moderate,” and none is shown as “extreme” or “exceptional” on this update. Drought impacts are expected to be widespread, especially for rangeland, stock ponds, dryland vegetation, and early-season moisture. Courtesy Photo

    New Order Bars Campfires, Fireworks, Smoking and Open Burning Across New Mexico 

    CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – New Mexico’s state forester has enacted statewide fire restrictions as drought, heat, wind and dry fuels continue to raise wildfire danger across the state, including in Cibola County, where local drought conditions remain severe and fire restrictions are already in place in several jurisdictions The new order took effect at 8 a.m. Monday, April 6, and applies to non-municipal, non-federal and non-Tribal lands statewide. Under the order, smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and open fires are prohibited, with limited exceptions in certain specific circumstances. The order will remain in effect until rescinded State officials said the restrictions were put in place because of unseasonably warm temperatures, critically low humidity, high winds and abundant dry, fine fuels.

    “We’re already in a particularly high-risk period for above average fire potential, which is not expected to let up anytime soon,” State Forester Laura McCarthy said in material released with the order. “Our current conditions are highly conducive to fires starting and spreading quickly” The order is another warning that spring recreation and outdoor work now come with elevated fire risk.

    Whether residents or tourists are headed toward the Zuni Mountains, Mount Taylor, Bluewater or other open areas, the broader message from fire officials is clear: this is not a time to be careless with flame, sparks or burning activity.

    The state order does not erase local restrictions already in effect.

    Cibola County is under Emergency Ordinance 01-2025, a temporary burn ban preventing open burns which extends to the Village of Milan; Stage II fire restrictions are active at Bluewater Lake State Park. Bluewater’s restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal, fireworks, explosives, chainsaws, torches, welding, off-road driving and other spark- or flame-producing activity, while limiting smoking to enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared developed recreation sites The statewide order is focused on lands under the state forester’s authority, but its arrival adds to a growing picture of concern across western New Mexico.

    Cibola County remains entirely in drought. Local drought tracking published in late March showed 100 percent of the county in drought, with 31.42 percent in Moderate Drought and 68.58 percent in Severe Drought, affecting all 27,213 residents. February ranked as the county’s 39th driest on record, while January through February ranked as the 59th driest start to a year in 132 years of records The county’s water indicators have also reflected the dryness.

    By late March, Bluewater Lake had continued its slow seasonal decline, the Rio San Jose remained low, and the Zuni/Bluewater River Basin had dropped to 0.0 inches of snow water equivalent. That means the snowpack that normally helps feed spring runoff in the region effectively disappeared before it could provide meaningful recharge The order itself lays out several exceptions.

    Smoking may still be allowed in enclosed buildings, inside vehicles equipped with ashtrays, on paved or surfaced roads, and at developed recreation sites or cleared areas.

    Some propane, kerosene and white-gas cooking devices may still be allowed in improved camping areas with sufficient clearance or a water source.

    Certain agricultural burning and gas flaring exceptions also remain possible under tightly defined conditions Still, the overall purpose of the order is to reduce preventable fire starts during a period the state considers unusually dangerous.

    With active fire restrictions in place, residents and visitors in Cibola County should assume fire danger is high, check the rules for the exact land they plan to visit.