Because of severe fire conditions, San Juan County Fire and Rescue will not issue burn permits for residents in Bloomfield, Kirtland and the unincorporated part of San Juan County, New Mexico.
Burn permits will not be issued after 7 a.m. Saturday until further notice.
San Juan County ordinance and New Mexico statute mandate the issuance of burn permits for legal open burning. Open burning is defined as burning of materials without a chimney, in a manner which the products of combustion are emitted to the open air. This includes agriculture burns.
San Juan County is currently listed with 72% of the county in exceptional drought. This is the highest drought rating and means that fire danger is extreme. Long-term forecasts and evaluation of fuels indicate that conditions will continue to worsen into June.
Current conditions, including windy, hot and dry weather, and susceptibility of fuels to fire means residents need to be especially careful with any activities that could cause a fire. This includes industrial welding, grinding, cutting, parking hot engines on dry brush or grasses or the use of small engine equipment which could cause sparks. Be cautious when disposing of cigarettes or using gas or charcoal grills.
Residents who burn without a permit, or carelessly start a fire, can be charged under New Mexico statute, and could face up to 90 days imprisonment, a $500 fine or both.
San Juan County Fire abd Rescue staff members will continue to monitor conditions and will update the situation as it changes.
