The Las Cruces Fire Department has issued an open burning ban within the city limits effective Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Southern New Mexico, to include the City of Las Cruces, is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions as indicated by the National Weather Service. Such conditions pose a fire hazard and a significant threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city.
The Las Cruces Fire Department has determined that it is necessary to restrict open burning within the municipal boundaries.
This burn ban will follow what the New Mexico Forestry Division has implemented for many counties in the state.
In accordance with the Las Cruces Municipal Code and the 2009 International Fire Code, the Las Cruces Fire Department is herby banning, effective May 28, all opening burning based on the atmospheric conditions that are creating the current drought.
Open burning is defined by Section 302 the 2009 IFC as, “the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudge pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames or recreational fires. For the purposes of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time the combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues, or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.”
This ban will remain in effect until the Las Cruces Fire Department determines that the fire hazard is no longer a significant threat.