Outdoor burning rules in Albuquerque, NM — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Albuquerque Fire Code Section 307.1 prohibits open burning, recreational fires, bonfires, rubbish fires and open-burning operations except as allowed by the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board and the Fire Code. Limited dead-and-dry weed removal is allowed without a permit if it meets strict setback, pile-size, wind, and time-of-day conditions.
Section 307.1 makes open burning prohibited by default and bans 'environmentally poor substances' entirely (307.1.2). A permit from the fire code official (per Sec. 105.6) is required before kindling a fire for silvicultural/wildlife management, pest/disease control, a bonfire or a recreational fire (307.2). The main exception is dead-and-dry weed removal on private residential, commercial or industrial property, which is allowed without a permit only if ALL of the following are met (Sec. 307.2 Exception 1): burning is at least 50 feet from a structure or combustibles; pile size does not exceed 3 ft x 3 ft; burning stops when wind exceeds 15 mph; burning occurs only between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Oct 31-Mar 31) or 6 a.m.-5 p.m. (Apr 1-Sep 30); and an approved means of extinguishing the fire is readily available. Piles larger than 3 ft x 3 ft require a permit and a site plan submitted at least 10 days in advance (307.2.1.2). Before any burn, callers must check the city's Burn/No-Burn Hotline at (505) 768-2876 to confirm it is a burn day. State open-burning rules (20.11.21 NMAC, administered locally by the Air Quality Control Board) apply alongside the Fire Code.
Open burning that violates Section 307 or is conducted on a no-burn day is a fire-code violation enforced by the Albuquerque Fire Department; the fire code official may order the fire extinguished and impose penalties under Chapter 50 of the Fire Code, in addition to any Air Quality Control Board enforcement.
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