The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, will be conducting a prescribed fire on January 31, 2025. The Refuge is continuing a proactive land management approach by using fire as management tool. Crews plan to burn approximately 370 acres on Cibola NWR to reduce the future possibility of wildfires while enhancing critical marsh bird habitat on Cibola Lake.
Prescribed fires are conducted under an approved plan with the use of adequate firefighting resources. It is the best method to prevent potential loss from a wildfire. Firefighters from the USFWS AZ Fire Management program and interagency partners will be utilized to complete this prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn .
Refuge biologists and fire personnel worked together to develop a plan that would protect endangered species and reduce vegetation that is impeding habitat restoration work. All burn plans are developed using national interagency standards developed by qualified and experienced fire management professionals.
Fire Management personnel from the USFWS Arizona Fire Zone will closely monitor weather and fuel conditions to maximize results and minimize smoke impacts on adjacent communities. The burn will only be conducted during the daytime hours. Cibola, Arizona may be impacted by smoke for short periods of time. Smoke may also be visible to residents in the Yuma, Arizona, and Blythe, California areas. Cibola National Wildlife Refuge will remain open to the public during prescribed fire operations.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
