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Prevent Wildland Fires in Open Space: You Can Help

Early detection can be the difference between a small or large scale fire. How can you help during this critical fire season? Follow these guidelines:

  • Carry a cell phone to report suspicious activity, smoke or fire.
  • Carry a map of the area so you can accurately report access points or nearest cross streets for emergency personnel.
  • Visit areas you are familiar with so you know how to quickly evacuate if necessary.
  • Carry a notebook to record important information such as the location of an illegal camp, description of individuals involved in suspicious activity, or areas requiring important signage.
  • If you see fire, call 911.
  • To report non-emergency activity, call (505) 242-COPS.
  • Most importantly, be safe. Never approach smoke or fire.
  • Leave the area as soon as you detect it and then call 911.

Click here for information about statewide fire restriction, more fire restriction definitions and news. Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer

Bosque Fire Safety Video

 

 

Understanding Fire Danger Warnings:

Nearly record low precipitation throughout the Southwest in recent years has created the urgent need for strict enforcement of fire restrictions in Open Space lands.  

The following information is provided so that the public has a better understanding of what activities are restricted and at what times.

Fire Emergency Contacts:

 

To Report Suspicious Activity: Open Space Dispatch: (505) 452-5206 or (505) 242-COPS

For emergencies, call 911

Sandia Ranger District: (505) 281-3304

Fire Restrictions Permanently in Place for Open Space Areas (Stage I Restrictions):

  1. Prohibited activities include:
  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, open flame, campfire or stove fire except in designated picnic areas
  • Smoking, except in enclosed vehicles
  • Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device
  • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off any publicly designated roadways, except when parking in developed parking lots or at developed trailheads
  • Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine
  • Operating any piece of spark-emitting equipment
  • Operating any internal or external combustion engine
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame
  • Camping or overnight stay

 

Bosque Restrictions

Remember, the following fire restrictions are always in place in the Rio Grande Valley State Park.

  • No Smoking
  • No Fireworks
  • No Open Fires
  • No Camping
  • No motorized vehicles except official personnel

Designated Picnic Grills

Open Space does manage designated picnic areas such as the Elena Gallegos/Albert G. Simms Park with grills suitable for charcoal grilling. See the Open Space Lands page for more information.

During high fire danger, the use of charcoal grills may be restricted. Always check with the Open Space Division for current fire restrictions. For current fire restrictions, call (505) 452-5201.

High Fire Danger Definitions

  • Extreme: No charcoal or wood fires, gas stoves OK in designated picnic areas only.
  • Very High: No charcoal or wood fires. Gas stoves OK in designated picnic areas only.
  • High: Charcoal and wood fires in provided grills in designated picnic areas only. Gas stoves OK in designated picnic areas only.

The Open Space Division has fire danger signs posted in many areas of Open Space. The signs are updated as quickly as possible after a change in fire conditions is determined.

You may contact the Open Space Division at 452-5201 for more information on fire danger status, or call 911 to report an emergency.

Red Flag Warnings

Red Flag Warnings may be announced within 24 hours. Red flag warnings restrict the use of campfires and gas stoves under unusual circumstances, including but not limited to:

  • Sustained winds averaging 15 m.p.h. or greater
  • Relative humidity less than or equal to 25 percent and
  • A temperature of greater than 75 degrees F.

Please refer to the Red Flag WarningLeaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer web site provided by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office for up to date information.

Other Restrictions and Closures:

In certain cases additional restrictions are put in place (Stage II Restrictions, see below).

Additionally, the City of Albuquerque reserves the right to require partial or full closures (Stage III, see below) of Open Space lands.

Stage II Restrictions

Stage II Restrictions intensifies the restrictions from Stage I by focusing on activities that, although normally managed under permit or contract, have a relatively high risk of causing a fire.

Stage II Fire Restrictions prohibit the following activities in Open Space Areas:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, open flame, campfire or stove fire
  • Smoking
  • Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device
  • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off any publicly designated roadways, except when parking in developed parking lots or at developed trailheads
  • Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine
  • Operating any piece of spark-emitting equipment
  • Operating any internal or external combustion engine
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame
  • Camping or overnight stay

Stage III Fire Restrictions (Full Closure)

Stage III Fire Restrictions mean that all Open Space Areas are closed to the public, with the exception of designated public safety officials and authorized personnel.

Open Space areas include those lands zoned or designated as open space in the City’s adopted Plan for Major Public Open Space and acquired by the City to include the Bosque/Rio Grande State Park, Foothills, and West Mesa Open Space Areas; Wildlands Areas and wildlands/urban interface areas; major named arroyos; lined or unlined drain-ways; retention dams and retention pond areas and abutting rights-of-way or easements which have been publicly acquired; and any open lands for which the City has assumed control or management responsibility by lease, easement, or legal agreement.

Anyone found in prohibited areas is subject to a fine or imprisonment, or both.

 

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