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Santa Fe, NM – March 26, 2014– Due to a lack of winter precipitation, the Santa Fe County Fire Department by approval of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) issued an emergency Ordinance at the March 25, 2014 BCC meeting declaring hazardous fire conditions and imposing restrictions on open fires, smoking and other ignition sources.  Ordinance 2014-3 is effect immediately.

“We didn’t have much of a winter and that along with anticipated dry conditions in future months, increased the need to be cautious much earlier than before.  We have never imposed an Ordinance this early in the year, but it is necessary if we are to be diligent in preventing a catastrophic fire from occurring,” said Fire Chief David Sperling.

Basic Outline of What Ordinance 2014-3 Prohibits:

• 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 purpose is exempt from the NM 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;
• Campfires

Any individual, firm, partnership or other entity found violating this emergency ordinance can be found guilty of a petty misdemeanor and punished by imprisonment for up to 90 days or a fine not to exceed $300, or both. Each act shall constitute a separate violation.

Any open burn permits that have been issued for the next 30 days are now void. Residents will need to obtain a new permit once restrictions have been lifted.