Bernalillo County, NM Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

New Mexico does not impose a statewide Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building code, but Bernalillo County follows the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code as a reference standard and the State Fire Marshal's Fire Code (NMAC 10.25.10) applies countywide. The East Mountain region east of the Sandia Crest is federally mapped as a Very High wildfire hazard zone; properties there should maintain a 30-foot lean/clean zone (Zone 1: cleared of dead vegetation, with trimmed trees spaced 10 feet apart) and a 30-to-100-foot reduced fuel zone (Zone 2) per NM State Forestry Firewise guidelines. Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue's Wildland Division partners with NM EMNRD Forestry and Cibola National Forest on defensible space inspections. During red-flag conditions, the County Manager issues Stage 1 (no open burning, no charcoal) or Stage 2 (no outdoor flame use, engine spark arrestor checks) restrictions under NMSA 1978 Section 4-37-1 and county ordinance. Bosque-adjacent properties in the South Valley and North Valley face specific cottonwood litter and salt cedar fuel-loading risks. Fire-resistant roofing (Class A), enclosed eaves, and ember-resistant vents (1/8-inch mesh) are strongly recommended. NM Senate Bill 83 (2023) created the State Fire Fund supporting defensible space grants; Bernalillo County participates through Firewise USA community designations in Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, and Sandia Heights.