An abandoned campfire is suspected to have been responsible for causing a brush fire on Mount Taylor on June 1. The small fire was near the Gooseberry Springs Trail on Forest Road 193 and burned approximately .08 of an acre.
A quick response from Grants Fire and Rescue, Milan Fire Department, and the Mount Taylor Ranger District meant that this fire didn’t spread too far and was quickly expunged. The first responding crews on the site had to tackle the fire with hand tools until responding fire crews were able to get to the site and tackle it with fire engines and heavier equipment.
Superior Ambulance, The Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, and Cibola County Fire Command joined GFR, MFD, and Mount Taylor Ranger District to put out the fire and keep the area safe.
Despite recent rain, Cibola County is undergoing a severe drought and conditions are very dry, Grants Fire and Rescue urge extreme caution while camping and visiting Cibola’s mountainous areas.
An investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, but crews suspect an abandoned camp fire, GFR credits concerned citizens for their calls about the fire for this not becoming a bigger incident.
The Cibola National Forest and National Grassland are currently under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction which will last until Dec. 31, or until lifted, whichever comes first, according to a press release from the Cibola NF&NG.
With these restrictions, campfires are only allowed in designated and developed campgrounds and picnic areas. Campfires in rock rings are not allowed under the restrictions. Pressurized, petroleum filled stoves, lanterns and other heating devices are allowed as long as they meet safety standards. Smoking is only allowed in vehicles, buildings, or areas with a three by-three clearing of any flammable materials. Fireworks and other explosives are also prohibited in all forest service lands, even when there aren’t active restrictions.