Preparation and safety are of utmost importance while recreating in the national forest. Please observe safety alerts and notices before your excursion to the forest. Simply knowing the current conditions, closures and alerts prepares you for a pleasurable outdoor visit, free from any surprise that could deter your fun!
Rules and Closure Orders
In order to ensure the health and safety of forest visitors now and in the future, we ask you to follow the guidelines established to protect the forest and the natural environment. Long term and temporary closure orders and prohibitions are posted on the website, posted on bulletin boards, or located in the district or supervisor’s office. Alerts and Closures are posted below, as well.
Albuquerque, NM, December 16, 2020 – Order 03-0704 has been terminated for the closure of Forest Service Road K600 and the road is open for vehicle traffic on the Kiowa National Grasslands.
Forest Service Road K600 was closed on November 5, 2020 to protect public health and safety pending the replacement of the Canadian River low water crossing with a crossing the allows for aquatic organism passage and the enhancement of aquatic organism and fisheries habitat. The repair work has been completed and K600 is open for vehicle traffic.
Albuquerque, NM – December 4, 2020. The Cibola National Forest has lifted stage 1 fire restrictions on all four mountain districts. Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to lift fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources.
Albuquerque, NM – November 12, 2020. The Cibola National Forest had originally implemented stage 1 fire restrictions per order 03-0703 on October 23rd for the four mountain districts to reduce human-caused wildfire during extreme drought conditions, historically low fuel moisture and high fire danger.
Per Order 03-0705: Fire management has determined that with recent winter conditions bringing in moisture, low temperatures and high relative humidity, stage 1 fire restrictions will be lifted on 2 of the districts.
Mount Taylor Ranger District: will lift Stage 1 Fire Restriction on 8 a.m. Thurs., Nov 12, 2020
Magdalena Ranger District: will lift Stage 1 Fire Restriction on 8 a.m. Thurs., Nov 12, 2020
If you see an activity that you think is suspicious, we encourage you to report it.
Review our circular for what to look for, and for what to do, if you see any suspicious activity on the forest.
The National Forests and Grasslands are your lands. You have a stake in what happens on them. There are laws in place to protect the forest's biodiversity, scenic views, water, soil and the cultural heritage.
Call Local Law Enforcement, Non-Emergency phone number or Contact your local Ranger District via phone.
NOTE: Ranger Districts are open Monday through Friday.
To reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, Forest Order 03-0711 Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Kiowa / Rita Blanca Ranger Districts. This order was signed on March 12, 2021 and is effective until December 31, 2021 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
Albuquerque, NM, November 5, 2020 – A Temporary Road Closure Order (03-0704) has been issued on the Kiowa National Grasslands for National Forest Service Road K600 in effect on November 5, 2020 and shall remain in effect until April 30th, 2021 or until: the Order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.
The road closure is within Township 21N., Range 24E., Section 15, specifically, National Forest System Road (NFSR) K600, beginning at its intersection with NFSR K601, continuing in a southeasterly direction along NFSR 600 for .7 miles, until the west side of the Canadian River.
Albuquerque, NM, October 13, 2020 – Cibola National Forest and Grasslands officials have terminated closure order 03-0702 for the Colorado 2 Fire area effective October 13, 2020.
The Colorado 2 Fire has not advanced in the last few days. Interior smokes are being monitored by Mt Taylor Ranger District fire crews. Crews continue to monitor fire lines and check for hotspots.
03-0701 order was issued on October 8th to protect the public before and during the suppression activities of the Colorado 2 Fire.
The Continental Divide Trail section of FSR 453 is now open for passage.
For information about the termination of this closure order, please contact:
Albuquerque, NM, October 8, 2020 – A Closure Order (03-0701) has been issued effective on October 8th, 2020, and shall remain in effect until October 31, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public before and during the suppression activities of the Colorado 2 wildfire.
A Temporary Area Closure Order (03-0700) has been issued for National Forest Service Road 225 mile 22.6 to 22.9 in effect on October 12, 2020 and shall remain in effect until October 23, 2020 or until: the Order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public due to road reconstruction where no detour can be safely made to avoid and traverse around the road construction zone. Concrete is being placed to alleviate erosive conditions within the closure area. This requires time for the concrete to harden before reopening the road to vehicle travel.
A Temporary Area Closure Order (03-0698) has been issued for National Forest Service Road 225 in effect on September 21, 2020 and shall remain in effect until October 6, 2020 or until: the Order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public due to road reconstruction where no detour can be safely made to avoid and traverse around the road construction zone. Concrete is being placed to alleviate erosive conditions within the closure area. This requires time for the concrete to harden before reopening the road to vehicle travel. The restricted area is within Township 9S., Range 4W., Sections 2 specifically mile marker 9.9 to 10.1 of NFSR 225. A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the prohibitions listed in Order Number 03-0691, Stage II Fire Restrictions Closure applicable to all National Forest System lands within the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, in the states of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma dated 13 May 2020, and signed by Steven Hattenbach, Forest Supervisor, Cibola National Forest are hereby terminated.
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