Forest Institutes Fire Restrictions

News Briefs

The Cibola National Forest is instituting tougher fire restrictions, following the lead of northern New Mexico’s Carson National Forest.

The increased fire restrictions go into effect Friday for the Sandia, Mountainair, Mount Taylor and Magdalena ranger districts.

The restrictions mean that fires, campfires, charcoal broilers or coal and wood stoves are prohibited, no firewood can be cut for personal use and smoking is banned except in an enclosed vehicle or building. In addition, vehicles must remain on forest roads.

“Given the record temperatures and severe dry conditions, we have decided to increase our fire restrictions and not allow fires of any kind on portions of the Cibola National Forest,” forest Supervisor Nancy Rose said Wednesday.

The Carson forest put similar restrictions into effect Monday.