Otero County, NM Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Otero County, NM, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Minimum water on hand
- 5 gallons plus a shovel/stir tool
- Attendance
- Continuously attended at all times
- Large campfire call
- Sheriff before and after
- Post-fire check
- Monitor until completely out
- Overridden by
- Any § 111-7 burn ban
Summary
Small and large campfires are allowed anytime of day in unincorporated Otero County under § 111-6(5) and (6), as long as someone continuously attends the fire with at least five gallons of water and a shovel on hand, unless a burn ban under § 111-7 is in effect.
(5) Small campfires are permitted regardless of the time of day listed above when continuously attended, with a minimum of five gallons of water and a shovel/stir on hand, except when banned as outlined in § 111-7. ... (6) Large campfires are permitted regardless of the time of day listed above when continuously attended, with a minimum of five gallons of water and a shovel/stir on hand, except when banned as outlined in § 111-7, with the following conditions: (a) With approval of the landowner. (b) Continuously monitored by an adult. (c) Notify the Otero County Sheriff's office at 437-2210 or 1-800-874-3743 prior to ignition and when completed. (d) Ensure the fire is completely out and is monitored for 1/2 hour after.
Full Breakdown
Otero County Code § 111-6(5) permits small campfires regardless of the time-of-day limits that apply to brush and agricultural burning, so long as the fire is continuously attended and the tender keeps a minimum of five gallons of water plus a shovel or stir tool on hand. Large campfires fall under § 111-6(6) with added conditions: the landowner must approve the fire, an adult must continuously monitor it, the Otero County Sheriff's Office must be notified at 437-2210 or 1-800-874-3743 before ignition and again once the fire is out, and the tender must confirm the fire is completely extinguished and keep monitoring it for a half hour afterward.
Both campfire types lose their exemption the moment § 111-7 triggers a burn ban, such as a National Weather Service red flag warning or high-wind advisory, or a discretionary ban declared by the Otero County Office of Emergency Services. The chapter draws no separate line for a manufactured steel fire pit versus an open ground fire; the same attendance, water and notification conditions govern any open flame burning vegetative material or clean wood outdoors.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 111's general penalty under § 111-8 applies: a fine of up to $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both, under NMSA 1978 § 4-37-3, with citations issued by the County Code Enforcement Officer, Sheriff or any Deputy Sheriff. Burning during an active § 111-7 ban is treated as prohibited open burning, not an exempt campfire, exposing the tender to the same penalty range plus the separate state petty misdemeanor fine of up to $500 under NMSA § 74-2-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard campfire in unincorporated Otero County?
Does a large campfire need the landowner's approval?
Can I have a campfire during a red flag warning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Otero County
How Otero County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Otero County to another location·View the New Mexico fire regulations overview
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