Fire restrictions blow in early

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Acting in response to the early arrival of warm, dry and windy conditions Bernalillo County and the Mountainair Ranger District Thursday ordered restrictions on open fires and smoking.

County commissioners said they enacted the burn ban early this year as a pre-emptive strike.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a ban on open fires, camp fires and smoking in unincorporated parts of Bernalillo County. That includes the South Valley, East Mountains, far Northeast Heights and parts of the North Valley.

"These restrictions normally are not put into place until late May, but because of the extremely dry conditions, warmer temperatures, and high winds it was necessary," commission Chair Deanna Archuleta told KRQE News 13.

The Mountainair Ranger District will implement the same restrictions starting Monday. The district covers most of the Manzano Mountains in western Torrance County and a section in Bernalillo County plus a separate unit straddling the border of Torrance and Lincoln counties west of Corona.

Fire officials are hoping the resolution will make people more aware of the dangers New Mexicans face this fire season.

"As far as a prediction it's almost impossible to say, but it doesn't look good," Mike Jaffa of the Santa Fe County fire Department said.

Anyone who is caught burning illegally faces a fine of up to $1,000.

Numerous small wildfires already have been reported this year, and the Picacho Fire continues to burn west of Artesia after spreading across 8,500 acres.