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Open Burning

The Open Burn Program regulates open outdoor burning in order to limit pollution, decrease the chance of fire damage to property and injuries. Small bonfires, cooking, and burning piled vegetative material are conditionally allowed.

Albuquerque citizens may burn piled vegetation, have recreational fires or portable outdoor fire places under the following rules and parameters:

Piled Vegetative Material

  1. No burning is allowed within 50 feet of structure or combustible materials.
  2. Pile size must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet or less in height.
  3. Fire extinguishing equipment must be on site (i.e. garden hose, fire extinguisher 4A Rating or water tuck.
  4. Fire must be constantly attended until completely extinguished.
  5. If wind exceeds 15 miles per hour burning must be immediately discontinued.

No Permit is required but PRIOR to burning but you must call the City of Albuquerque's Burn/No-Burn Hotline to ensure its a burn day. If the pile exceeds 3 ft X 3 ft, call the Fire Marshal's Office at 505-764-6300 and Environmental Health (505) 768-2617 for information on obtaining a permit.

  • City of Albuquerque Burn/No-Burn Hotline  (505) 768-2876.
    • If a burn day, notify fire dispatch at (505) 833-7390
  • Bernalilllo County residents please call the Bernalillo Open Burning Hot Line at (505) 468-7200.

Recreational Fires

  1. Recreational fires shall not be conducted with 25 feet of a structure or combustible materials.
  2. Any condition which could case a fire to spread with within 25 feet of combustible materials or a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
  3. Wood is the only fuel allowed to be burned.
  4. Pile size shall not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet or less in height.
  5. Fire extinguishing equipment must be on site (i.e. garden hose, fire extinguisher 4A Rating or water tuck.
  6. Fire must be constantly attended until completely extinguished.
  7. If wind exceeds 15 miles per hour burning must be immediately discontinued.

No permit is required but PRIOR to burning but you must call the City of Albuquerque's Burn/No-Burn Hotline to ensure its a burn day. If the pile exceeds 3 ft X 3 ft, call the Fire Marshal's Office at 505-764-6300 and Environmental Health (505) 768-2617 for information on obtaining a permit.

  • City of Albuquerque Burn/No-Burn Hotline  (505) 768-2876.
    • If a burn day, notify fire dispatch at (505) 833-7390
  • Beranlilllo County residents please call the Bernalillo Open Burning Hot Line at (505) 468-7200.

Portable Outdoor Fireplaces

  1. Portable outdoor fire places shall be used in accordance with manufacture’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible materials.
  2. Any condition which could cause a fire to spread with within 15 feet of combustible materials or a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
  3. Wood is the only fuel allowed to be burned.
  4. Fire extinguishing equipment must be on site (i.e. garden hose, fire extinguisher 4A Rating or water tuck.
  5. Fire must be constantly attended until completely extinguished.
  6. If wind exceeds 15 miles per hour burning must be immediately discontinued.

No Permit is required but PRIOR to burning but you must call the City of Albuquerque's Burn/No-Burn Hotline to ensure its a burn day.

  • City of Albuquerque Burn/No-Burn Hotline  (505) 768-2876.
    • If a burn day, notify fire dispatch at (505) 833-7390
  • Beranlilllo County residents please call the Bernalillo Open Burning Hot Line at (505) 468-7200.

Burn Hours

For conditionally allowed burning of dead and dry weeds as well as piled vegetative material, burn hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are no time restrictions on recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces or cooking. At any time the Fire Department can request that you end your burning activities.

Indoor Fireplace & Woodstoves

There are no restrictions on burning in indoor fireplaces or woodstoves at this time. 

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