Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order for Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands

Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restriction

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following acts are prohibited within all National Forest System lands as described in this Order (the “Described Area”) and as depicted on the attached maps, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, within the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts on the Cibola National Forest, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Lincoln, Counties within the State of New Mexico.

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using fire, campfire, or stove fire including charcoal and briquettes outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas). 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).

EXEMPTIONS

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

1. Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.

2. Persons using a stove fire in a designated area.

3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for the Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit not required under 36 C.F.R § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

4. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organization rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty. 

DESCRIBED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest as depicted on the attached maps at Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods

of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from Wednesday June 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM through August 31, 2025 at 2359, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Described is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A and Exhibit B. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A and B, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
3. Exhibit C, “Definitions,” is attached and incorporated into this Order.

4. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

   4.   A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

   5.   Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Mountainair RD in Mountainair, NM at 505-847-2990 and Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, NM at 505-281-3304 and at the Cibola National Forest Supervisors Office in Albuquerque, NM at 505-346-3900.

   6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT 
EXHIBIT A

THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATED AREAS HAVE APPROPRIATE OR APPROVED

FACILITES UNDER STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS on THE MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT:

• Fourth of July Campground
• Tajique Campground
• Bosque Campground
• Capilla Peak Campground
• New Canyon Campground
• Red Canyon Campground
• Red Cloud Campground
• Pine Shadow Trailhead
• Ox Canyon Trailhead

SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT 
EXHIBIT B

THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATED AREAS HAVE APPROPRIATE OR APPROVED

FACILITES UNDER STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS on THE SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT:

• Juan Tabo Picnic Area
• La Cueva Picnic Area
• Las Huertas Picnic Area
• Doc Long Picnic Area
• Sulphur Canyon Picnic Area
• Cienega Canyon Picnic Area
• Balsam Glade Picnic Area
• Capulin Spring Picnic Area
• Nine Mile Picnic Area
• Cedro Peak Campground
• Pine Flat Picnic Area
• Oak Flat Picnic Area (Juniper, Locust and Yucca Picnic Areas)

EXHIBIT C
EMERGENCY STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

DEFINITIONS:

DESIGNATED AREA: Developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic
areas that are maintained and administered by the Forest Service, shown on the current
Forest visitor maps, and are equipped with permanent fire structures.

FIRE STRUCTURE: A permanent metal or concrete structure, which is specially
designed for the purpose of containing a campfire or cooking fire that has been installed
and maintained by the Forest Service or equivalent.

STOVE FIRE: A fire built inside a fully enclosed metal stove, grill, or sheep herder type
stove, which is outfitted with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length and is
equipped with a spark arrestor consisting of a mesh screen with a screen opening of ¼
inch or less.

For further definitions or clarification of definitions, refer to 36 C.F.R. § 261.2.

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