SANTA FE – This summer, you can support firefighters and protect your community by preventing wildfires. We are experiencing historic levels of fire danger, and restrictions and closures are in place in many areas across the state – in fact, many public lands are either in elevated levels of fire restrictions or are closed to public access entirely. Do your part by learning about fire restrictions and area closures across the state before planning your weekend and summer activities or any recreation on public lands. 

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division, in cooperation with partners, is urging residents and visitors to recreate responsibly and help prevent human-caused wildfire ignitions, which have already burned hundreds of thousands of acres and displaced thousands of New Mexicans. Here are a few things to keep in mind in planning your outdoor activities. 

Always check for fire restrictions and closures in the area you plan to visit BEFORE you leave. EMNRD and the State Forester implemented revised statewide fire restrictions on May 19. Order 2022-02 prohibits smoking, fireworks use, campfires, open fires, open burning, and operation of certain equipment (i.e., chainsaws, cutting torches, welders, grinders, and other similar equipment). Order 2022-02 applies to all non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands in New Mexico. This order supersedes any previous orders.

Fire restrictions on other lands, including federal and tribal jurisdictions, are generally implemented in stages as follows:

Stage 1: Prohibits:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  • Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. Be aware that fireworks are always prohibited on federal lands in NM.
  • Stage 2:  Prohibits:
    • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove in any location.
    • Smoking, except in a vehicle or enclosed building.
    • Using fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices.
    • Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine (is usually restricted to cooler and more humid morning hours).
    • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
    • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
    • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads on federal lands, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
    • Violating any state law, that specifically concerns burning, fires, or that which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire

 

  • Stage 3: Is a closure that prohibits entering upon public lands due to the extreme fire danger or the threat to public health and safety from an ongoing wildfire.

 

Before traveling even short distances, do a 360-degree walk-around and make sure your vehicle is ready to hit the road, ensure tires and brakes are in good working order, and secure tow chains to keep them from dragging on the ground to prevent sparks. Vehicles can also emit particles from the exhaust or pieces of a failing catalytic converter that start roadside fires. The best prevention method is good vehicle maintenance. Once in route, ensure that all smoking-related materials are safely disposed of and never park on dry grass. Be prepared by carrying a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and a shovel – these will be of assistance should a fire start to ensure safe travel.

Other helpful resources include the Ready, Set, Go! Program (video), Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner, New Mexico, Firewise USA®, and Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network (FACNM).

 

The New Mexico Forestry Division is working with the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National Forests, Forest Stewards Guild, Fire Adapted NM, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management New Mexico to continue our wildfire preparedness calendar in 2022 and share the message across multiple platforms. This includes social media, webinars, and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.