Urgent Reminder: County Wide Burn Ban

Urgent Reminder: County Wide Burn Ban

Valencia County is currently under a county wide burn ban that includes ALL municipalities. to the extreme winds, ongoing drought, and severe fire danger. With the Big Hole and Simona fires happening back to back and other major fires throughout New Mexico we have a lack of available resources in the event of another major fire.

Please remain diligent and do your part to keep us all safe.

Due to ongoing drought, severe fire danger, and serious lack of resources throughout New Mexico; Valencia County, village of Los Lunas, City of Belen, Peralta, Bosque Farms, and Rio Communities are implementing an open burn ban effective April 18, 2022 and will remain in effect for 30 days or until conditions change to reduce the fire danger, at which time we will reevaluate the need for the open burn restrictions and update as appropriate. The Fire Departments use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. The restriction of open burning is a proactive way to reduce the very real risk of fire; we must do what we can to protect our Bosque from wildfire, protect our natural resources, and we must protect the safety of our communities’ lives and property while enhancing firefigther safety. The open burn ban restricts any and all outdoor fires such as weed burning, cooking fires, and bonfires. Additionally, we urge you to use extreme caution when utilizing any open flame such as welding or grinding, and have at least a 4 foot in diameter area cleared of all flammable material with a water source or extinguisher available. If smoking please refrain from dropping or tossing a lit cigarette on the ground, ensure it is fully extinguished before disposal. Please avoid parking or leaving a running vehicle in dry brush or cotton, this can create a fire that will spread. The Fourth of July coming up we also encourage all residents to use ONLY “Safe an Sane” fireworks. No Stick-type rockets, helicopters and aerial spinners, missile-type rockets, ground audible devices, firecrackers, and display fireworks are prohibited.