Fire restrictions lifted on Mountainair, Sandia Ranger districts

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands is lifting Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger districts starting Friday at 8 a.m. Officials cited fuel moisture levels and precipitation in the area.

Campfires are permitted outside of developed recreation sites.

Restrictions remain active on the Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District.

The forest service is reminding visitors to avoid building campfires if weather conditions are dry, hot, or windy. It is illegal to leave a campfire unattended. Anyone with a campfire should fully extinguish it before leaving, using plenty of water to drown the coals, stirring the water and coals together, and using the back of the hand to ensure all heat sources have been extinguished.

Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest lands. Visitors should extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them properly, refrain from parking hot vehicles over tall vegetation, which can cause spot fires, and avoid dragging chains behind vehicles, as the sparks generated are a fire hazard.