Open Burning

Bonfires, cooking, and burning piled vegetative material are conditionally allowed. The conditions include calling the Burn Hotline, time restrictions, notifying the fire department, complying with fire safety codes, and possibly obtaining a fire department permit.

Prior to burning, there are two recordings that residents of the Albuquerque metro area must call:

• The Environmental Health Department at (505) 768-BURN (2876)
• Bernalillo County Open Burn hotline at (505) 468-7200.

Both authorities must be obeyed. In other words, if one of the messages says it’s okay to burn and the other message says it’s NOT okay, then it is NOT okay to burn.

If it is a burn day, only dead and dry weeds as well as piled vegetative material can be burned. Burn hours from October 1st through March 31st are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and April 1st through September 30th from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

There are no time restrictions on bonfires or cooking. At any time the Fire Department can request that you end your burning activities.

If burning is allowed, notify the Fire Dept. Non-Emergency Dispatch Center at 505-833-7390 prior to burning to notify them of your location and how long you will be burning.

For more information from Environmental Health, go to Air Quality.