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Santa Fe County Open Burn Restrictions Still In Effect

Santa Fe, NM – June 13, 2012 – The Santa Fe County Fire Department, through adoption by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) issued Ordinance 2012- 8, an emergency ordinance declaring hazardous fire conditions and imposing restrictions on open fires, smoking and other ignition sources. The open burn restrictions are due to low winter and spring precipitation, high winds and extreme fire danger. Restrictions are effective immediately and will be reviewed in 30 days for consideration of an extension. The BCC passed Ordinance 2012-6 on April 24, 2012 to impose the same restrictions.

Ordinance 2012-8 Prohibits:

• Open fires of any kind;Open burning of vegetation or rubbish;Littering on public roadways/areas with ignited smoking materials;
• Campfires;
• 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; and
• The issuance of licenses or permits for open burning;

"The state and local community have experienced several fires this year and we need to address the extreme fire danger conditions by taking all measures necessary," said Fire Chief David Sperling.

For more information contact the Santa Fe County Fire Prevention Division at (505) 995-6523.