Cibola Keeps Waterfowl Hunts Open in Safe Areas After Island Fire

Waterfowl hunters will still have places to hunt at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge this season despite damage from the Island Fire. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's September 16 announcement identifies the areas that will remain available and the closures hunters need to plan around.

Hunting will remain available in moist-soil units 7, 8, 9 and 11, along with the Hart Mine, Marsh and Pretty Water areas. The refuge also plans to hold its goose hunt lottery. Those opportunities do not mean the entire refuge is open: moist-soil units 1 through 4 and the meanders remain closed because of fire damage, access limitations and safety concerns.

The fire damaged irrigation infrastructure that supports wetland habitat, along with trees and other habitat. It also destroyed the Hart Mine Road bridge. Keeping the Hart Mine hunting area available should not be read as confirmation that the bridge or the usual route into it is usable.

For hunters, the immediate job is to confirm a safe, authorized route before heading out. Check current refuge notices or call staff at 928-857-3253 for hunting availability and safety information. The agency also points hunters toward Topock Marsh at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge as another possible option.

Cibola lies approximately 20 miles south of Blythe, California. Repairing the water-delivery system and damaged access will matter beyond this season: managed wetland habitat needs working infrastructure. For now, the refuge is keeping legal hunting available where conditions allow while recovery continues.