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Better In Person
Visit our majestic sky islands of New Mexico and the sprawling grasslands within northern New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Enchantment of Forest, Wilderness and Grasslands
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands encompasses 1.9 million acres. The 4 “sky island” ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt Taylor cover more than 1.6 million acres in New Mexico with elevations range up to 11,301 ft. The Cibola also has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington and Apache Kid and administers four National Grasslands: Black Kettle, McClellan Creek, Kiowa and Rita Blanca covering 263,261 acres in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northern Texas.
Fire Safety Information
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Forest Closure, Restrictions, and Bear Trap Fire
Forest Closures: A Stage 3 forest closure on the Mt. Taylor, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts is in effect due to extreme fire danger. The Magdalena Ranger District remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and a Bear Trap Fire closure.
The Bear Trap Fire is in the San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. The fire was first reported on May 1, 2022.
Prepare for Your Visit
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Recreation Sites
Four season opportunities for visitors to the forests, wilderness and grasslands
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Find Your Way
Cibola area maps are available in all formats and for all devices. Plan ahead by mapping your adventure.
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Passes & Permits
Check out what fees are required and what passes are available. Know before heading out.
Discover More about the Cibola
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Caring for the Land
Learn more about how the Cibola is managed and cared for, including forest planning, travel management, grazing management and annual operating instructions (AOIs), assessments, and special projects.
Recent News
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Bear Trap Fire Area, Road and Trail Closure Order
Release Date: May 19, 2022
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Aviation resources aid firefighters on the Bear Trap Fire - May 19 UPDATE
Release Date: May 19, 2022
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Firefighters make progress on control lines ahead of the Bear Trap Fire - May 18 UPDATE
Release Date: May 18, 2022
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Thursday, May 19 - Forest Closure for Mt. Taylor, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts
Release Date: May 17, 2022
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Neighboring fires contribute smoke over the Bear Trap Fire - May 17 UPDATE
Release Date: May 17, 2022
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Bear Trap Fire experiences less fire spread in past 24 hours – May 16th UPDATE
Release Date: May 16, 2022 Albuquerque, NM
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Historically dry conditions and high temperatures fuel the Bear Trap Fire
Release Date: May 15, 2022
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Bear Trap Fire – May 14th UPDATE
Release Date: May 14, 2022 Albuquerque, NM
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Bear Trap Fire – May 13th UPDATE
Release Date: May 13, 2022 Albuquerque, NM
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Mountain Districts Increase Fire Danger Rating to Very High
Release Date: May 12, 2022 Albuquerque, NM
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Bear Trap Fire – May 12th UPDATE
Release Date: May 12, 2022
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Bear Trap Fire – May 11th UPDATE Magdalena Ranger District - San Mateo Mountains
Release Date: May 11, 2022
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Quartz Hill Fire – FINAL UPDATE Mount Taylor Ranger District - Zuni Mountains
Release Date: May 10, 2022
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New Fire Start - Quartz Hill Fire Mount Taylor Ranger District - Zuni Mountains
Release Date: May 9, 2022
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Quartz Hill Fire – EVENING UPDATE for May 9th
Release Date: May 9, 2022
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Bear Trap Fire - May 9 UPDATE
Release Date: May 9, 2022
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Bear Trap Fire - May 8 UPDATE
Release Date: May 8, 2022
Features
Cibola Offering Recreation Passes Online
Planning to visit the Cibola? Now you can purchase your day use pass on line! Save the hassle of finding cash for the fee envelope and instead purchase a digital pass through our partner, Recreation.gov. This pass can be used for all sites that charge a day use fee on Sandia Ranger District, and at Lake McClellan on Black Kettle Ranger District. Purchase your pass ahead of time or directly at the site when you visit; your license plate will be used to verify your purchase.
Heading outdoors to get a break from being in the house?
An adaptation of the TREAD Principles by Tread Lightly!
We've adapted the T.R.E.A.D Principles for social distancing outdoors to align with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help slow the spread of the disease and maintain physical and emotional health. Please help us keep the outdoors and enthusiasts healthy by following these easy guidelines.
Spotlights
Mountainair RD is grateful for work done by Forest Stewards Guild Youth Corps
This fall on the Mountainair RD this FSYC crew prepared areas for prescribed burns and implementation, recreation site upgrades and performed trail work across the Mountainair Ranger District.
Be Bear Aware
Bear education material.
Cougar Country
Cougar education material
Film Permits
National forests are popular locations for commercial filming
Alerts & Warnings
- Forest Closure Order for Mt. Taylor, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts
- Stage II Fire Restrictions Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia RDs
- 03-0723 Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Stage II Fire Restrictions
- 03-0722 Black Kettle/McClellan Creek Areas Stage II Fire Restrictions
- 03-0719 Lake Marvin & McClellan Creek Areas Stage II Fire Restrictions
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun
