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Open Burn Restrictions 

Santa Fe – July 8, 2010 –Santa Fe County Fire Department would like to remind residents that due to low spring precipitation, high winds and extreme fire danger the Board of County Commissioners approved an emergency ordinance declaring hazardous fire conditions and imposing restrictions on open fires, smoking, and other ignition sources.

“Despite recent rains, we are still in extreme fire danger conditions and we ask that residents take caution with any potential ignition source(s),” says Santa Fe County Fire Chief Stan Holden.

Ordinance 2010-7 prohibits:

· Campfires

· Open fires of any kind

· Open burning of vegetation or rubbish

· Smoking within a County park, campground or any wild land area, except within an enclosed vehicle or in a building which is specifically authorized for such and is exempt from the New Mexico No Smoking in Public Facilities Act

· Littering on public roadways/areas with ignited smoking materials

· Use of off-road vehicles, motor bikes, or other motorized apparatus within county parks, campgrounds and wild land areas

· The issuance of licenses or permits for open burning

Any individual, firm, partnership, or other entity found violating this emergency ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for up to 90 days or a fine not to exceed $300.00, or both. Each act shall constitute a separate violation.

All open burn permits that have been issued are void for the next 30 days. A new permit must be obtained once restrictions have been lifted.

For more information, contact Fire Prevention Specialist, Victoria DeVargas (505) 995-6523 or visit http://www.santafecountynm.gov/fire