Potential fire dangers increase ahead of Memorial Day weekend

By Donovan Quintero | May 22, 2025 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

Fire weather conditions across northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico are expected to intensify heading into Memorial Day weekend, aligning with some of the country’s most severe drought levels, according to the National Weather Service and the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a fire weather outlook showing elevated to critical risk across the region. Areas including Flagstaff, Holbrook, Winslow, St. Johns, and extending into Gallup and Grants are under alert. Conditions are forecast to worsen by Friday, with critical fire weather expected from Flagstaff to Springerville, driven by powerful winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation. Surrounding areas such as the Grand Canyon, Kayenta, Window Rock, and Chinle remain under elevated risk.

According to the May 20 U.S. Drought Monitor, large portions of Arizona and New Mexico are experiencing extreme to exceptional drought. In Arizona, counties including Coconino, Navajo, Apache, and Yavapai are among the hardest hit – areas that also fall within the highest fire risk zones. Drought continues to deepen on the Navajo Nation and surrounding tribal lands.

In New Mexico, extreme drought covers much of the northwest, including McKinley and Cibola counties, which are also included in the fire weather alert.

Based on a joint analysis by the National Drought Mitigation Center, NOAA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than a quarter of the country is experiencing drought.

Federal, state, and local agencies have implemented widespread fire restrictions in response to worsening conditions. Coconino County placed all private lands within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest under Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning May 15. These restrictions ban campfires, charcoal use, and other fire-related activities.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has also issued Stage 2 fire restrictions for all State Trust lands across the state, excluding Coconino County, where restrictions are already in place.

The Bureau of Land Management imposed Stage 2 fire restrictions on public lands in Apache and Navajo counties on May 14. These rules prohibit open fires, smoking outside buildings or vehicles, discharging firearms (except for legal hunting), and industrial activities involving flames or sparks. The restrictions stay in effect until lifted.

The BLM manages 245 million acres of public lands across the West and oversees 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate nationwide. Fireworks, tracer ammunition, and exploding targets are banned year-round on all federal lands.

Apache and Navajo counties also have Stage 2 restrictions, prohibiting campfires, charcoal grills, and open smoking. Exceptions apply only to designated recreation sites and enclosed areas.

McKinley County issued a burn ban in New Mexico on March 18 through Resolution MAR-25-024. The ban prohibits campfires, debris burns, agricultural burning, fireworks, and wood-burning stoves and grills unless equipped with spark arresters. The ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

County officials cited prolonged drought, above-average temperatures, and dry vegetation as key reasons for the ban. Enforcement falls to local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management personnel. Violations are subject to penalties under county law.

McKinley County’s emergency management department continues to monitor conditions in coordination with the National Weather Service and the New Mexico State Forestry Division. No exemptions have been granted, though essential services may apply for prior approval through local fire authorities.

Cibola County has enacted a similar burn ban. In San Juan County, burning is allowed only with a valid permit between 8 a.m. and noon.

Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor activities that could spark a fire. With high winds and dry conditions expected through the weekend, even small ignitions could quickly spread out of control.

As the summer fire season begins, state and federal agencies are bracing for heightened fire activity across the Southwest.

The Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site are currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions. The latter two sites are part of the National Park System.