Open burning and fireworks restrictions in Otero County due to drought

The drought conditions that contributed to the Three Rivers Fire in Lincoln County are prevalent in Otero County, a reality that the Otero County Emergency Management Department considered in its proposal of two resolutions to help prevent fires.

The Otero County Commission approved open burning restrictions and fireworks restrictions at its regular meeting May 13.

"We are in a drought period that is severe and just having any open fires right now is risky and a tax to the volunteers that have to go out and try and mitigate them while we wait for other resources to come in," Otero County Emergency Services Director Matt Clark said.

The burn ban means that all open burning including campfires, open flames and shrubs and other materials are not allowed in Otero County due to drought conditions in the County.

Campfires at commercial recreational campgrounds are exempt so long as the campfires are 30 feet away from vegetation.

Open flame cooking is allowed for charcoal grills, wood, coal and gas fired appliances.

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Prescribed burns done by the Lincoln National Forest, fire and fire training operations by the Otero County Volunteer Fire Departments and the Otero County Fire Fighter Training Facility are also exempt from the burn ban.

Agricultural burns may be permitted so long as the New Mexico Smoke Management Program: Air Quality Bureau is contacted at 1-800-224- 7009.

There must be an adult monitoring the burn, no burns can start after noon, a fire break must be available as must at least 50 gallons of water on the firer site.

The burn ban will remain in effect until Otero County once documentation is provided from the National Weather Service and the U.S. Forest Service showing that drought levels have abated within the County.

Fireworks restrictions

Also due to the drought conditions, fireworks usage and sales are also restricted in Otero County.

"With the drought that we are in right now, I don't think it would be a good idea to sell fireworks that are aerials, they pose the most risk for starting fires," Clark said.

The fireworks restrictions run from June 8 through July 8 unless there is enough precipitation to have the restrictions lifted, Clark said.

Permissible fireworks are cone fountains, crackling devices, cylindrical fountains; flitter sparklers, ground spinners, illuminating torches; novelty items and wheels.

Prohibited fireworks are aerial shell kit-reloadable tubes, aerial spinners, helicopters, mines, missile-type rockets, multiple tube devices, Roman candles. shells and stick-type rockets and ground audible devices, which consist of: chasers, firecrackers.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.