The Las Cruces Fire Department will not be issuing burn permits to Las Cruces residents for open burning of vegetation effective Monday, April 26, 2021.
The temporary ban on open burning is necessary because of the severe drought conditions in Dona Ana County. Southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, is currently experiencing severe drought conditions as indicated by the National Weather Service and the United States Drought Monitor, a collection of measures that allows experts to assess drought across the country.
Current conditions pose a fire hazard and a significant threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of our community. After review of all measures and forecasts, the Las Cruces Fire Department determined that it is necessary to restrict open burning within municipal boundaries.
The ban will remain in effect until the Las Cruces Fire Department determines the fire hazard is no longer a significant threat.
Open burning is defined as the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are omitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudge pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames. The ban also does not include recreational outdoor fires such as grills, firepits or fireplaces whether they are fixed and portable.
Las Cruces residents who would normally burn yard waste are encouraged to utilize the City’s Green Grappler Service. Green Grappler Requirements:
- Ensure tree branches are less than 5 feet in length and 5 inches in diameter.
- Stack branches neatly at the curb.
- Bag grass clippings and leaves in clear plastic bags so the grappler operator can see it is yard waste and not trash and so it will be taken to the appropriate landfill.
Yard waste collected by the Green Grappler Service are taken to the Old Foothills Landfill and recycled into composted mulch. For more information on the Green Grappler Service, visit www.las-cruces.org/1377/Grappler-Services.