New Mexico forestry officials announced sweeping statewide fire restrictions Monday to prevent wildfires during the state’s unseasonably hot and dry spring.
The restrictions ban smoking; fireworks; campfires; any prescribed agricultural and debris burning; or oil and gas production flaring on state lands. The state will allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis if weather or other conditions are met, according to a news release.
The order will remain in place until officials at the state’s Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department cancel the ban following improved conditions and lower wildfire danger.
“Fire restrictions are about individual actions that protect our communities as a whole,” EMNRD Acting Secretary Erin Taylor said in a statement. “Nine out of 10 wildfires in the state are caused by humans, which means nine out of 10 wildfires can be prevented. We’re asking that every resident and every visitor take extra precautions during a particularly risky wildfire season.”
While the state’s order does not affect municipal, federal or tribal lands, it overlaps with recent fire restrictions adopted by counties and federal agencies.
County officials in Rio Arriba, Guadalupe and Catron have issued fire bans within their borders. Last week, the U.S. Forest Service issued higher-level fire restrictions in the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, which limit vehicles and machinery uses along with open flames.
Lower level fire restrictions are in place for the Santa Fe National Forest and Lincoln National Forest, which only allow campfires in specific stone-lined rings at campsites and ban smoking.
