Bernalillo County has no statewide or county-wide WUI mandate, but the East Mountain area (Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park) and bosque-adjacent neighborhoods are high-risk. Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue enforces NMAC 19.15.30 (burn rules), seasonal Stage 1/2 fire restrictions, and defensible space recommendations under the NM Forestry Division framework.
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.
Violating Stage 1/2 fire restrictions: fine up to $500 per NMSA 1978 Section 4-37-3 plus potential criminal arson referral if a wildfire results (NMSA 30-17-5, reckless use of fire, up to 18 months incarceration). Non-compliance with State Fire Marshal orders: citation up to $1,000. Insurance non-renewal risk in mapped high-hazard areas without defensible space documentation.
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