New Fire Incidents, Water Shortages, and Fireworks Ordinance Under Review Ahead of July
Diego Lopez, Editor
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — As June approaches, drought conditions in Cibola County continue to hold firm, with no measurable improvement across any corner of the region. New wildfires, dropping lake levels, vanishing snowpack, and a pending countywide fireworks ordinance have put both residents and local officials on alert as summer begins.
According to the latest data released May 22 by the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100 percent of Cibola County remains in drought.
More than half of the county, 58.35 percent is under Extreme Drought (D3) conditions, and the remaining 41.65 percent in Severe Drought (D2). These levels match the county's most widespread drought coverage in recent years and mirror conditions seen during the back-to-back drought disasters of 2022 and 2023.
April 2025 was recorded as the 56th driest April in 131 years, and the January–April period is now ranked as the 8th driest start to any year on record. According to the United States Northern Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that Cibola County has received 1.91 inches less precipitation than average so far this year.
The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that drought now affects 448 acres of hay, 30 acres of haylage, 10,281 cattle, and 3,026 sheep across the county.
Meanwhile, snowpack in the Zuni/Bluewater River Basin has vanished entirely. As of May 22, the Rice Park station reported 0.0 inches of snow depth, indicating no spring runoff or groundwater recharge for the coming season. The cumulative effect leaves much of Cibola in what one fire official recently described as a 'tinderbox state.'
Since late April, Cibola County has seen at least five wildfire incidents within or near its borders:
APRIL 27 – The Alamo Fire burned in the City of Grants in the early evening, destroying six homes and injuring two firefighters. Crews worked through the night and were successful in stopping and eliminating the flames.
APRIL 27 – The Laguna Mason Fire near Timberlake, which burned 63 acres the same day and time as the Alamo was burning in Grants.
MAY11 – The Cinder Cone Fire in the Zuni Mountains, contained at 7.2 acres.
MAY 20 – The La Mosca Springs Fire on Mt. Taylor, which burned 0.25 acres.
JUNE 3 – The Sapa Fire near the Zuni Bandera Trailhead, a controlled pinecone pile burn gone out of bounds, contained at 0.01 acres just 14.7 miles from the Village of San Rafael.
Most recently, a wind turbine fire near Bibo, dubbed the Turbine Fire, was reported active and had burned at least 11 acres as of June 10 at 3 p.m.
To the west, just across the state line, Arizona officials are monitoring the Shed Fire near Saint Johns. The Shed Fire is an unspecified incident with no posted public information; the Cibola Citizen has requested information on this incident.
These are only the incidents recorded on the by federal fire officials, not all of the minor incidents local fire officials deal with on a regular basis.
Water Levels at Bluewater Lake Continue Falling
While boating conditions at Bluewater Lake State Park remain listed as 'excellent,' water volume has continued to decline. As of June 10, the lake held 8,276 acre-feet of water, down from 8,887 acre-feet just three weeks earlier. Officials emphasize the need for conservation and caution as summer recreational use increases.
Fire Restrictions and Burn Bans Remain in Force
Multiple layers of fire restrictions remain in place: Cibola County, City of Grants, and Village of Milan all have active burn bans. The burn bans prohibit outdoor burning, fire pits, or trash fires.
Mt. Taylor Ranger District remains under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions through July 31, banning dispersed campfires and restricting smoking and open flames to developed sites.
Bluewater Lake State Park is operating under Stage II Fire Restrictions through July 1, banning campfires, charcoal grills, and any fireworks.
Officials warn that even with some isolated moisture, conditions remain dangerously dry.
Cibola Fireworks Ordinance to Be Debated June 12
In response to worsening fire and drought conditions, the Cibola County Commission will consider Emergency Ordinance 012025 at a special meeting on June 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Cibola County Commission Chambers, 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Grants.
The ordinance, if adopted, has the power to restrict or ban the sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.
The draft resolution proposes to ban high-risk items such as stick rockets, aerial spinners, missile- type fireworks, firecrackers, and ground audible devices entirely. Lower-risk items like sparklers and fountains would be limited to paved or barren areas with water access. Violators could face misdemeanor charges and fines of up to $1,000 or one year in jail.
County Manager Kate Fletcher and Fire Marshal Middleton have both indicated strong support for the ordinance. The decision comes in light of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s May 22 executive order declaring a statewide drought and fire emergency, which encourages local governments to take legal steps to reduce fire risks.
The Village of Milan’s active burn ban allows the village to automatically follow the more serious restriction, whether imposed by the county or village leadership. If this ordinance passes, these same firework restrictions will be imposed in the Village of Milan.
Statewide Emergency Order Issued
Governor Lujan Grisham’s executive order mobilized state agencies and created a new Drought Task Force led by State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson. The task force includes more than ten state departments and is charged with coordinating drought response, funding assistance, and recommending water conservation and fire mitigation policies by July 31.
'Despite some spring precipitation, almost all of New Mexico remains in conditions that threaten water supplies and elevate fire danger,' the governor said. 'This executive order ensures we act decisively to conserve water and lessen our exposure to wildfire risk.'
The Cibola Citizen will continue to monitor wildfire incidents, drought updates, and official restrictions to help keep residents informed and safe. For updates on current fire conditions and smoke activity, visit fire.airnow.gov or nifc.gov.