Single Publication

 Stage II Fire Restrictions Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia RDs

Date(s): Apr 28, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022

Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are effective April 29th at 8:00 a.m. per Order 03-0724. This order is for all National Forest System lands, roads and trails within Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts.  

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibit*

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.
• Smoking.
• Blasting, welding, or operating a torch with open flame.
• Using an explosive of any kind. 
• Operating any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine.
• Driving off designated roads.

ORDER NO. 03-0724

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST & NATIONAL GRASSLANDS

STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited

within all National Forest System lands as described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as

depicted on the attached maps, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A, within the

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Cibola, McKinley, Socorro, Catron, Sierra,

Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Lincoln, Counties within the State of New

Mexico.

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.

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).

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 written Forest Service authorization 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 #1, above, for fires that are within a fire structure in a designated area (see

Definitions at Exhibit B).

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.

RESTRICTED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the Cibola National Forest & National

Grasslands as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A.

PURPOSE

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

weather conditions.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order will be in effect on April 29, 2022, at 8:00 AM, and shall remain in effect

until December 31, 2022 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2. A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as

Exhibit A.

3. Exhibit B, “Definitions,” is attached and incorporated into this Order.
4. 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)).

5. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Mt. Taylor RD in Grants,

NM at 505-287-8833, Magdalena Ranger District in Magdalena, NM at 575-854-2281,

Mountainair Ranger District in Mountainair, NM at 505-847-2990, Sandia Ranger

District in Tijeras, NM at 505-281-3304, Kiowa Rita Blanca Grasslands in Clayton, NM

at 575-374-9652, and at the Cibola National Forest Supervisors Office in Albuquerque,

NM at 505-346-3900.

Done at Albuquerque, New Mexico this 27 day of April, 2022.

 STEVEN HATTENBACH

Forest Supervisor

Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands

ORDER NO. 03-0724

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EXHIBIT B

STAGE II 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 specifically 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.

CHAIN SAW: A saw powered by an internal combustion engine, with cutting teeth linked in an

endless chain.

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