ALBUQUERQUE, NM – November 14, 2024 – Fire management for the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) did not proceed on ignitions today on the previously announced Sulphur prescribed fire (Rx) Piles on the Sandia Ranger District after test fire resulted in unfavorable conditions for continued burn operations.

Fire managers will continue to assess conditions in the coming days to ensure they fall within the range outlined in the prescribed fire plan before proceeding with operations on the Sulphur Rx fire piles. A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. If conditions are not met, the decision will be made to postpone until favorable conditions allow for successful operations.
The Sulphur Rx fire piles burn area is in the Sandia east mountains, north of I-40, west of NM-14 and south of NM-536. See map attached.

The Cibola NF & NGs manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state air quality and smoke management regulations. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website.

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

For more information on the Sulphur Canyon prescribed fire piles, contact the Sandia Ranger District Office: 505-281-3304 or Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor's Office: 505-346-3900.