By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Due to the lack of precipitation and the dry conditions in Southern New Mexico, the Las Cruces Fire Department will not issue burn permits for city residents when the National Weather Services issues a Red Flag warning or when, in the opinion of a fire official, it is unsafe to burn.
"As the weather warms and residents begin to clear out their yards from the recent freeze, and prepare for outdoor activities, we expect to see an increase in burn permit requests," said LCFD Deputy Chief Steve Mims, fire marshal for the City of Las Cruces. "We want to ensure that we are not creating an unnecessary fire risk to the community."
The Red Flag warning provides a good indication of the weather and potential fire dangers. Criteria for a Red Flag warning, according to the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/elpaso, include:
Fire Danger of "High" or above.
Relative humidity less than or equal to 15 percent.
Winds greater than or equal to 20 mph.
Wind gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph.
Forecaster judgment or agency request.
When weather permits, burning limited quantities of dry weeds or grass in Las Cruces is allowed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (6 p.m. between June 1 and Aug. 30). But residents must first obtain a burn permit from any of the six Las Cruces Fire Stations. Burn permits can be requested between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Burn permits issued within Las Cruces are in accordance with Section 307 of the 2006 International Fire Code and require the following:
The fire is no less than 50 feet from any structure and is made to prevent spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.
The fire is constantly attended to by a competent person until extinguished.
An appropriate water source is present on the premises for extinguishment.
The permit will be kept on the premises designated and is subject to inspection by any fire or police officer.
The Las Cruces Fire Department also recommends that residents avoid burning debris from oleander plants. Oleanders are poisonous and burning their leaves or branches can pose health risks. It is safer to bundle oleander branches and leave them for the City of Las Cruces grappler service for pickup. Information about solid waste pickup in the city can be found at www.las-cruces.org.
For more information or questions about fire permits, please contact the Las Cruces Fire Department Prevention Services at (575) 528-4150.