BLM announces emergency fire restrictions for Farmington and Taos Field Offices
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The Bureau of Land Management Farmington District is initiating emergency fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Farmington and Taos Field Offices in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Taos, Santa Fe, McKinley, Sandoval, Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, Quay, and San Miguel counties, beginning Wednesday, June 6, 2018, due to high fire potential. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Prohibited Acts include:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, including in campgrounds and picnic areas. Allowed: The use of stoves fueled by pressurized liquid or gas (can be turned off) within areas cleared of flammable materials at least 10 feet in diameter.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, developed sites and areas, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Operating a chainsaw or any other internal or external combustion engine without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads, except routes in areas open to OHV travel and except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
- Discharging, using, or possessing any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or denotation. This includes, but is not limited to, fireworks, pyrotechnics, or exploding targets.
- Discharging steel-core, steel-tipped, or steel-jacketed firearm ammunition. Using a tracer or incendiary bullet or device is always prohibited.
Monitor the BLM New Mexico social media pages at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMNewMexico or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMNewMexico/ for updated information.
Exemptions to this order: Any federal, state, local and/or military employee acting within the scope of their duties; members of any rescue or firefighting force performing official duty; and persons, agencies, municipalities, or companies with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Restitution for total costs of fire suppression or damage will be borne by the violator.
The BLM greatly appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires. For more information, please contact the BLM Farmington Field Office at 505-564-7600, or the Taos Field Office at 575-758-8851.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.