The Santa Fe County Fire Marshal announced on May 27 that open burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Santa Fe County, effective immediately. All current open burning permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued until further notice from the Fire Marshal.
The majority of Santa Fe County lies within or near the Wildland Urban Interface Area, where homes and developments border wildland vegetation. The Fire Code allows for prohibiting open burning when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make fires hazardous. Officials said that unincorporated portions of the county are experiencing high-risk conditions, creating a significant threat to residents’ safety and property.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service implemented emergency Stage 1 fire restrictions on all National Forest System lands within the boundaries of Santa Fe National Forest starting April 2. There are several active wildland fires in New Mexico as a result of ongoing hot, dry, and unstable weather conditions. Officials said there is an immediate danger of range fires, brush fires, grass fires, forest fires, and structure fires in the county under these circumstances.
The prohibition order will remain in effect until lifted by the Fire Marshal. Open burning is defined as burning materials with combustion products emitted directly into ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. The order clarifies that road flares, smudge pots used for safety or occupational purposes, barbeque grills, and portable outdoor fireplaces are not included under this prohibition.
Chimneys and openings serving fireplaces or similar appliances must have spark arresters or screens constructed from woven or welded wire screening with openings not exceeding one-half inch (12.7 mm). Spark arresters should use 12 USA standard gage wire (0.1046 inch/2.66mm).
Santa Fe County provides public safety services to residents throughout incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas across the region through administrative facilities overseen by a Board of County Commissioners and a County Manager, according to the official website.
