Fire Danger Presents Active Threat to Cibola
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A fire just outside the Village of Milan on April 14 threatened to create a large blaze. Thanks to the quick reaction by Cibola's firefighters the fire was not allowed to grow larger. Courtesy Photo
MILAN, N.M. – Flames engulfed a recreational vehicle (RV) a white car and other items near the Village of Milan, New Mexico, on April 14. The fire could have easily spread if not for the quick actions of Milan Volunteer Fire Department, Grants Fire and Rescue, and the Cibola County Fire Command. Fire danger is very high across New Mexico this spring and shows no signs of quitting, currently, Cibola County is under a burn ban to prevent any potential fire disaster from occurring.
Black smoke billowed from a property lot off State Highway 605 in Milan, N.M. A quick response by fire crews prevented the flames from spreading to other items on the lot and other buildings. Because of their quick response, the damage and destruction was limited; no injuries to civilians or to the firefighting team were reported.
There are 27,184 people that live in Cibola County, according to the United States Census Bureau, and every single person living in the county is a victim of severe drought. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, March 2022 was the 44th driest March on record since the federal government began tracking the Cibola area 128 years ago. Tracking just the first quarter of the year, the period of January through March 2022 has been the 32nd driest first quarter since the tracking began 128 years ago. Cibola County is under
Cibola County is under a severe drought, meaning that pasture yield is limited, irrigated crops are stunted, dryland crops are likely to be brown, and the danger of wildfires is increased. Seven percent of Cibola – the southeasternmost portion encompassing Laguna Pueblo – is under extreme drought, where even livestock can suffer, according to NIDIS.
To prevent wildfires Cibola County has put a burn ban into effect. Under the new burn ban, open fires are prohibited. Burn permits will not be issued while this ban is in effect. The open burning of weeds, trash, or any other material that produces smoke or can create a fire hazard are banned. Citizens found violating this order are subject to a misdemeanor charge that is punishable with a fine of $300, and 90 days in jail, or other applicable money amounts. The person responsible for the fire can be held liable for the full cost of fighting the fire.
The burn ban took ef fect April 11 and can be extended or removed as conditions allow.
Fires in New Mexico
Fire data is relevant as of Press Time – April 19, 2022
Hermit’s Peak Fire: 12 Miles Northwest of Las Vegas, N.M., this fire is 81 percent contained, having burnt 7,581 acres. There are currently 567 firefighting personnel on the scene.
McBride Fire: Burning in the Lincoln National Forest, the McBride Fire has burned 6,159 acres and is currently 84 percent contained. There are currently 438 fire personnel on scene, two citizens have died in this fire.
Nogal Fire: Burning west of Capitan, the fire has burned 412 acres and is 70 percent contained. There are 117 fire personnel on scene, this fire has destroyed six primary residences, and eight smaller structures.