NEWS RELEASE

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

2113 Osuna Road NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 346-3900

www.fs.usda.gov/cibola

www.facebook.com/cibolanf

twitter.com/cibola_nf

Cibola Mountain Districts to Implement
Stage II Fire Restrictions on June 18^th

Magdalena, Mountainair, Mount Taylor, and Sandia Ranger Districts

Order Number 03-0715

Albuquerque, NM – June 15, 2021 – Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) Mountain Districts will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions Order (03-0715) in effect at 8:00 AM on Friday, June 18^th, 2021, and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2021, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

PURPOSE

To reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.

Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources.

STAGE II RESTRICTED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Cibola NF & NGs as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A. This effects the counties Cibola, McKinley, Socorro, Catron, Sierra, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Lincoln, Counties within the State of New Mexico.

To view Stage II Fire Restriction Order 03-0715 go to Cibola www at Alerts & Notices.

STAGE II PROHIBITIONS

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

2.       Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.  36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).

3.       Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 C.F.R. 261.52(i).

4.       Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, on all lands and trails, unless solely for the purpose of parking in an area that is devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in areas that are designated for parking within developed recreation sites. 36 C.F.R. 261.56, 251.55(a).

5.       Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).

6.       Fireworks, explosives, and incendiary devices are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:

1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
3. Residents, owners and leases of land within the boundaries of the Cibola National Forest, and holders of Forest Service recreation special use authorizations are exempt from Prohibition no.1, above, for fires that are within a permanent structure.
4. Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.
5. Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.

Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).

A new Southwest Area Fire Restrictions Map was recently released. The map is a culmination of work from federal, state, and local agencies who hope to explain to the public where it is safe to have fires and where it’s not. The map shows all fire restrictions in New Mexico and Arizona, regardless of jurisdiction.

All fire updates will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Cibola Facebook  & Twitter pages.

For more information on Cibola NF & NGs fire restrictions:

Magdalena Ranger District Office 575-854-2281: Stage II under Order 03-0715 in effect June 18, 2021

Mountainair Ranger District Office 505-847-2990: Stage II under Order 03-0715 in effect June 18, 2021

Mount Taylor Ranger District Office 505-287-8833: Stage II under Order 03-0715 in effect June 18, 2021

Sandia Ranger District Office 505-281-3304: Stage II under Order 03-0715 in effect June 18, 2021

Black Kettle Ranger District Office 508-497-2143:

      Currently, Black Kettle RD is not under a fire restriction order.

Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District Office 575-374-9652:

      Remains in Stage I under Order 03-0713 effective May 24, 2021

      Remains in Stage II for Kiowa Mills Unit area under Order 03-0711 effective March 12, 2021

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.