News and Articles

Santa Fe County Offices Closed for Independence Day, Residents Reminded Certain Fireworks Are Banned

Santa Fe, NM - July 2, 2014 – Santa Fe County Offices and Solid Waste Transfer Stations will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2014. The Transfer Stations will resume regular business hours on Saturday, July 5 and Offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, July 7.

North Central Regional Transit District
The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) has announced that the RTD “Blue Buses” will not be in service on Friday, July 4th in observance of the 4th of July holiday. Regularly scheduled bus service throughout north central New Mexico including Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos Counties will resume on Monday, July 7.

Certain Fireworks Banned in the Unincorporated Portions of Santa Fe County
Santa Fe County would like to remind residents the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution 2014-46 declaring extreme or severe drought conditions and banning the sale and use of certain fireworks in the unincorporated portions of Santa Fe County and within wildlands in the County.

Non-Permissible Fireworks during Ban:
Aerial shell kit-reloadable tubes, aerial spinners, helicopters, mines, missle-type rockets, roman candles, shells and stick-type rockets, ground audible devices such as chasers and firecrackers.

Permissible Fireworks:
Cone fountains, crackling devices, cylindrical fountains, sparklers, ground spinners, illuminating torches and wheels.

Safety When Using Permissible Fireworks:
The following safety precautions should be taken when using approved fireworks such as fountains and cones:
• Be sure to have a clearing in any area you plan on having fireworks. Only light fireworks on a non-vegetated, paved or concrete, flat surface.
• Have a water source available such as a water hose or bucket.
• Throw used fireworks in a bucket of water to make sure they are completely out.
• An adult should be present at all times.

Penalties and/or fines:
Any individual, firm, partnership or other entity found violating emergency Ordinance (2013-001) or Resolution (2013-58) shall be punished by imprisonment for up to (90) days or a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300), or both, plus restitution ordered by a Court for damages caused by the violation of this Ordinance and/or Resolution. You may be held responsible for any damage to your neighbor’s home or property and/or the cost of fire suppression.

To Report Illegal Firework Use:
To report the use of illegal fireworks call 505-428-3710 or 1-800-742-1144. To report a fire call 9-1-1.