Forestry Division To Start Fire Restrictions on State Land
Associated Press
SANTA FE — The state is putting restrictions on campfires, open fires, smoking and fireworks in 23 of New Mexico's 33 counties starting Friday.
Restrictions are being imposed because of high winds, low humidity and low precipitation that have increased fire danger across the state, according to Tuesday's announcement by state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop and state Forester Arthur "Butch" Blazer.
"As spring weather continues to dry out our grasslands and forested areas, the potential for catastrophic wildfire is intensifying," Prukop said.
The restrictions affect all state and private lands outside municipal and tribal jurisdiction in Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lea, Lincoln, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, Torrance and Union counties.
The state forester also placed the restrictions on parts of Colfax, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, Sierra, Socorro and Dona Ana counties that lie east of Interstate 25.
The restrictions ban campfires in open areas, including state parks. People may use cooking or heating devises that burn kerosene, white gas or propane and are used in an improved camping area cleared of all flammable vegetation for at least 30 feet or with a water source. The state forester allows charcoal grills and wood and coal stoves in people's yards or on the premises of a business.
Open fires are restricted, including burning cropland, fields or rangeland; burning debris or slash piles; prescribed burning or weed burning. There is an exception for open burning on irrigated croplands, but those doing the burns must notify the local fire department, monitor the burn at all times, secure it at the end of the day and follow state air quality rules and local ordinances.
Smoking is allowed only in enclosed buildings, developed recreation areas, inside structures, in vehicles with ashtrays on surfaced roads or in areas barren of all flammable material for at least 3 feet in diameter.
Fireworks are banned on all state and private wildland outside city or tribal jurisdiction. Wildland areas include lands with timber, brush, grass, grain or other flammable vegetation.
The Cibola National Forest's Mountainair Ranger District is putting Stage 1 fire restrictions into effect Monday. Those prohibit campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires except in Forest Service-developed campgrounds with grills and fire rings. Smoking will be allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings and developed recreational sites or while stopped in areas free of flammable material for at least 3 feet in diameter.
The BLM has Stage 1 restrictions on public land in Dona Ana, Otero, Luna, Sierra, Grant and Hidalgo counties in the BLM's Las Cruces district.
The Lincoln National Forest went to Stage 2 restrictions last week. That level bans campfires but lets visitors use pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns or space-heating devices if the items meet safety standards.
The Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands near Clayton in northeastern New Mexico put Stage 2 restrictions into effect Feb. 28.
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