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A fire on May 16 started in the early morning near Mesa View Elementary. No fire crews or civilians were injured, the fire was extinguished before it could threaten the school or other buildings. Courtesy Photo -
The highlighted areas on this map will be closed to public until December 31. This is in an effort to protect the forest from fires and keep Cibola County safe. Courtesy Map
GRANTS, N.M. – Wildfires are ravaging New Mexico. Currently, residents are living through the largest wildfire in New Mexico State history: The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire has burned 299,565 acres of New Mexico land as of press time. Cibola County was recently placed in “Extreme Fire Danger” status, meaning just a simple spark can ignite a large inferno. Because of this, the Cibola National Forest will be closing to visitors and campers beginning May 19 and is expected to be reopened December 31.
There have been multiple fires in Cibola County I just the last week. On Thursday, May 12, a fire started by Exit 81 off Interstate 40, it burned a third of an acre but was quickly tackled and extinguished by a wave of fire personnel. Fire Marshal Dustin Middleton said that the fire was quickly put out thanks to “Awesome teamwork.” This fire was started because a truck that was hauling a trailer had low-hanging chains. As the chains dragged across I40, they sparked just enough to trigger the brushfire.
On May 16 a fire was started in the early morning just behind Mesa View Elementary in Grants. GFR responded and put out the fire before it could threaten the school and other structures.
Reduce My Fire Risk
Fire Marshal Middleton said that the best way to prevent fires is by clearing brush and flammable trash from yards, this is a major step in protecting personal property. Acts like removing dead vegetation, shrubs and trees, low hanging tree branches will decrease fire risk and increase not just an individual’s safety, but their whole community.
When target shooting in Cibola, residents should bring a bucket of water and a blanket to put out any fires which may spark, targets should not be placed on grass or near shrubbery, and should instead be placed on empty dirt or gravel. Do not shoot at trash like old televisions or other appliances, and do not shoot with steel core ammunition. Exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and incendiary ammunition are always illegal on public lands, and increase the risk of fire dramatically. After operating a vehicle, do not park on top of or near shrubbery or dead vegetation. Fire Marshal Middleton said that the catalytic converter can exceed temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and start fires. Middleton said that he has seen several times where a public servant was parked in the median of a roadway to do their job, and a fire starts underneath their vehicle, even when it wasn’t running, because of the high temperatures of the vehicle.
Even a finished cigarette tossed from a car window can spark a fire. When finished with a cigarette, Middleton cautions Cibola residents to properly put out the cigarette and, when it is cooled, throw it in a trashcan – public lands are not public trash cans.
Fireworks are banned on public lands in Cibola County, the use of these devices increases the risk of fire drastically during the summer months. Open burning is banned in Cibola County because of the fire danger. Middleton said that if residents see someone using fireworks or open burning, or if they see smoke in the air, they should call 911 and alert emergency services. “If you see something, say something,” Middleton said.
What Part of the Forest will be Closed?
Because of the extreme fire danger in Cibola County, and across New Mexico, the Cibola National Forest is moving to Stage 3 Fire Restrictions on May 19. This means that all forest system lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries will be closed to the public. This is in an effort to protect the forest.
Only people with special permission, like residents and federal agents, will be allowed to enter the lands.
For more information, please contact the Mount Taylor Ranger District at 505-287-8833.
While the forest closure may hinder summer plans, the closure is in an effort to protect the Cibola National Forest and all the residents of the area. New Mexico is currently in a state of disaster as declared by Governor Lujan Grisham and President Joe Biden, by preventing forest fires, Cibola can help New Mexico rebuild by not taking vital fire suppression resources from other areas in the state.