Thursday, May 19 - Forest Closure for Mt. Taylor, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

Release Date: May 17, 2022

Contact(s): Patricia E. Johnson

Mount Taylor, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts

Albuquerque, NM – May 17, 2022 – Based on extreme fire danger, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF& NGs) have implemented Stage 3 Forest Closure on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary of the Mount Taylor (Exhibit A map), Mountainair (Exhibit B map), and Sandia (Exhibit C map) Ranger Districts. 

This Order is effective at 8:00 AM on Thursday May 19, 2022, and shall remain in effect until July 18, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest will also implement Stage 3 Forest Closures starting Thursday, May 19, 2022.

Forest supervisors and fire managers weigh aspects such as local, regional and national fire preparedness level, increased fire activity, expected weather conditions, user activities that relate to potential for increased human-caused ignitions, availability of resources and significant social, political, or economic impacts to move in and out of restrictions and closures. Considerations always include discussions to understand impacts and challenges with neighboring units, federal and non-federal.

Some exemptions to this order apply. The following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:

• Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
• Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty as approved by the District Ranger.
• Residents using roads in the Restricted Area to the extent necessary to access their private property.

Any violation of the prohibitions in this Order 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)).

Official Order 03-0727 is posted on Cibola National Forest and Grasslands Alerts & Notices.

All existing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in effect:

• Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts: (Order 03-0724) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective on April 29th, 2022
• Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: (Order: 03-0723) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective on April 18, 2022
• Black Kettle/McClellan Creek Ranger District - Oklahoma: (Order: 03-0722) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective April 15, 2022
• Lake Marvin & McClellan Creek Texas Areas: (Order: 03-0719) Stage 2 Fire Restriction effective March 21, 2022

More Information

Additional information regarding fire restrictions and closures call:

• Magdalena Ranger District Office: 575-854-2281
• Mountainair Ranger District Office: 505-847-2990
• Mt. Taylor Ranger District Office: 505-287-8833
• Sandia Ranger District Office: 505-281-3304
• Black Kettle NGs Ranger District Office: 580-497-2143
• Kiowa and Rita Blanca NGs Ranger District Office: 575-374-9652
• Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900

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