TAOS, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office is initiating emergency fire prevention restrictions on public lands managed by the Taos Field Office in Santa Fe County, beginning Tuesday, April 17, 2018, due to high fire potential. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

“We are joining our county and federal partners in these actions in efforts to protect lives and property,” said BLM Taos Field Manager Pamela Mathis.

Prohibited Acts include:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in developed sites and areas.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, developed sites and areas, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Discharging, using, or possessing fireworks.
• During all Red Flag Warnings: Shooting or discharging firearms, target shooting, or possessing any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or denotation. This includes, but is not limited to, fireworks, pyrotechnics, or exploding targets.

Red Flag Warning Information: National Weather Service: www.weather.gov/abq. Monitor the BLM New Mexico Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/BLMNewMexico and www.twitter.com/BLMNewMexico.

Exemptions to this order: Any federal, state, local and/or military employee acting within the scope of their duties; members of any rescue or firefighting force performing official duty; and persons, agencies, municipalities, or companies with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Restitution for total costs of fire suppression or damage will be borne by the violator.

The BLM greatly appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires. For more information, please contact the BLM Taos Field Office at 575-758-8851.