Outdoor burning rules in Las Cruces, 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.
Open burning in Las Cruces requires a same-day burn permit from any fire station. No permits issue when winds exceed 20 mph, piles are capped at 3 feet wide, and only dry vegetation may burn.
Under the 2021 International Fire Code adopted by Sec. 11-26, open burning is prohibited without a permit. The Las Cruces Fire Department issues free burn permits, valid only for the day of the burn, obtainable at any fire station or through Accela online permitting. No permit issues if winds are forecast above 20 mph. Burning is allowed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (6 p.m. in June, July, August); piles are limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, at least 25 feet from structures, with a 50-foot cleared radius. Only dry vegetation may burn; garbage, oils, rubber, and plastic are prohibited. The department can suspend all open burning during high-wind or drought conditions.
Petty misdemeanor under Sec. 11-34: up to $500 and/or 90 days. Fire crews may order any unpermitted or unsafe burn extinguished; each day is a separate offense.
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