Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 22, 2024 – Pending favorable conditions, fire managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) may implement the previously announced Sawyer prescribed fire (RX) on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District as early as Tues. April 23, 2024. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding area of Ramah, Gallup, Thoreau, Bluewater, Grants and Millan.

Fire crews plan to burn approximately 706 acres on Sawyer located 3 miles west of Post Office Flats on Forest Road (FR) 480 in the Zuni Mountains. See map attached.

Ignition will depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Desired conditions will result in effective smoke ventilation and dispersal and help achieve the effects needed to accomplish the burn plan objectives. 

The Cibola NF & NGs manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state air quality and smoke management regulations. Smoke may settle into drainages and lower elevations at night but is expected to dissipate as daytime temperatures increase. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the www.airnow.gov/

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires are intended to reduce hazardous fuels accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Additionally, fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds. Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the priority.

Implementation announcements and updates on prescribed fire projects will be posted on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and on the Cibola NF & NGs website, Cibola Facebook and Cibola Twitter sites.

For more information on the Sawyer prescribed fire, contact the Mt. Taylor Ranger District Office at 505-287-8833 or Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900