The Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) 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 Doña Ana County. Southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, is currently experiencing severe drought conditions as indicated by the National Weather Service and the U.S. Drought Monitor, a collection of measures that allows experts to assess drought throughout the U.S.
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, LCFD determined that it is necessary to restrict open burning within municipal boundaries.
The ban will remain in effect until LCFD 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 for City residents include:
- Ensuring that tree branches are less than five feet in length and five 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, 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 information on the Green Grappler Service, visit www.las-cruces.org/1377/Grappler-Services.