Kirtland AFB, Cibola National Forest implement Stage III fire restrictions

  • Published
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

On May 19, 2022, Cibola National Forest implemented Stage III fire restrictions. The order is necessary to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger. It will be in effect through December 31, 2022, or until rescinded.

Entering or being upon restricted areas is prohibited on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails described in this Order (the “Restricted Areas”) and as depicted on the attached maps, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A, B, and C, within the Mt. Taylor, Mountainair Ranger and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, McKinley, Cibola, Sandoval, and Lincoln Counties, and the State of New Mexico.

Any violation of the prohibitions in this order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

More information is available at the Mountainair Ranger District in Mountainair, N.M., at (505) 847-2990; Mt. Taylor Ranger District in Grants, N.M., at (505) 876-2366; Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, N.M., at (505) 281-3304; and at the Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Albuquerque, N.M., at (505) 346-3900.

Concurrently, at Kirtland AFB, the following policies are in effect:

All ranges/activities will cease explosive operations, and any directed-energy events that have the possibility to ignite a fire. Agencies may submit exceptions if these restrictions cause severe disruption to testing schedules. Exceptions must include details of the event and additional precautions that will be implemented. The 377 ABW commander will make a final determination to approve such exceptions based on input from key agencies.

Email all range-associated exemption requests to Range Management at 377abw.xp.rangemgtoffice@us.af.mil.   

Extreme: Restricts fires, smoking and pyrotechnics. Use of pyrotechnics will be approved on a case-by-case basis to meet critical mission requirements. "No Sweat Boulevard" is off limits to everyone (even if they are not using pyrotechnics) unless specifically authorized by the DOE, NNSA Sandia Field Office.

Suspend non-essential testing operations.

No testing at Burn Site that emits embers with sufficient thermal capacity to start a fire outside the cleared facility area.

Welding operations restricted to indoor areas or areas that have been shielded by partitions or welding drapes.

The CATM East/M60 Range will only be allowed to operate on the new 50-meter range. No heavy weapons firing will be allowed.

351 SWTS may continue to operate under the recently approved restrictions agreed to by SEW and RMO.

Other restrictions:
- No smoking except in designated smoking areas or in an enclosed privately owned vehicle.
- Driving off designated roads is prohibited. Vehicles can only be parked in areas cleared of vegetation within 10 feet of established roads, or in designated parking areas.
- No use of explosives of any kind, including fireworks, ground burst simulators, smoke grenades and/or other pyrotechnic devices.
- No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.
- No blasting, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

These restrictions will remain in effect until Cibola National Forest reduces Stage III fire restrictions.