Mount Taylor Ranger District, El Morro and El Malpais drop restrictions following wettest stretch of summer, some remain
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – After weeks of monsoon storms that brought flash flooding, washed-out roads and widespread lightning across western New Mexico, fire officials are easing restrictions on portions of the Cibola National Forest.
Beginning noon Tuesday, July 28, Stage II fire restrictions will be lifted on the Mount Taylor Ranger District, which includes much of Cibola County, and the Magdalena Ranger District, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Last week, Tuesday July 21, El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments announced they are dropping fire restrictions from Stage II to Stage I, reducing restrictions but maintaining restrictions on campfires in open pits and outdoor smoking.
The decisions follow several days of widespread rainfall that dramatically changed fire conditions across western New Mexico.
Just over a week ago, the concern centered on drought and wildfire.
Since then, repeated rounds of monsoon thunderstorms have prompted multiple Flood Watches and Flash Flood Warnings across western Cibola County, caused flooding around Zuni Pueblo, washed out portions of NM 53, and brought enough moisture for fire managers to reconsider restrictions.
Forest officials said recent precipitation, along with improving fuel moisture and additional rainfall in the forecast, reduced the risk of human-caused wildfires enough to allow restrictions to be lifted.
'This decision was made based on fuel moisture levels and the amount of precipitation both received and forecasted across the two districts,' the Forest Service said in announcing the change.
Fire Season Isn't Over
Although restrictions are ending, officials stress that wildfire season is far from finished.
Lightning from recent storms has continued to spark new fires across the Mount Taylor Ranger District.
Earlier this month, firefighters quickly contained the McKenzie Ridge Fire in the Zuni Mountains, along with the Gobbler Springs and Spud fires near Mount Taylor. This weekend a lightning strike destroyed a historic building at Fort Wingate, illustrating that thunderstorms can bring both beneficial rainfall and dangerous lightning.
Fireworks remain prohibited on all National Forest lands.
The Forest Service also reminds visitors to fully extinguish campfires, avoid parking hot vehicles over dry vegetation, properly dispose of cigarettes and avoid dragging trailer chains that could create sparks.
The change applies only to the Mount Taylor and Magdalena ranger districts.
Stage I fire restrictions remain in effect on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts, as well as the Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District.
A Dramatic Shift in Just One Week
The lifting of restrictions highlights how quickly summer conditions can change in western New Mexico.
Only days ago, residents were being warned about flash flooding after storms repeatedly dropped heavy rain across western Cibola County. The same weather pattern that flooded roads and prompted emergency declarations also delivered the moisture needed to reduce wildfire danger across much of the forest.
Officials caution that changing weather does not eliminate wildfire risk. Dry periods, gusty winds and lightning remain capable of producing new fires even during the monsoon season, and visitors are encouraged to continue practicing fire safety throughout the summer.