The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office has issued a fire-prevention order prohibiting the use of exploding targets on BLM-managed lands throughout the state. The order took effect Feb. 27 and expires Dec. 31.
Exploding targets are a commercially available binary explosive commonly consisting of ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder. They can be ignited by high-velocity bullets used in target shooting. Once combined, they are considered a high explosive by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and they cannot be transported per U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
The use of exploding targets is restricted on most federal lands in the Western U.S. – including all other federal lands in New Mexico – because of their propensity to start wildfires.
A violation of this order is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months or both. Restitution for total costs of fire suppression or damage will be borne by the violator.
For more information, call Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Teresa Rigby at (505) 954-2256.
For more information about fire restrictions, visit on.doi.gov/35vxWdu.
