Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
New Mexico county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking New Mexico fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official New Mexico source:
New Mexico EMNRD ForestryCurrent fire restrictionsOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when New Mexico has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in New Mexico are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's State Forestry Division publishes current statewide and county-level fire restriction orders at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions/. An interactive Southwest Coordinating Group map also shows federal, state, and county restrictions in real time at nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/.
New Mexico County Burn Bans — EMNRD State Forestry DivisionView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
No open burning permit is generally required for small burns of vegetative material (10 acres or fewer of non-piled material per day, or up to 1,000 cubic feet of pile volume per day). Larger burns or prescribed burns require a Smoke Management Plan filed with NMED Air Quality Bureau (1-800-224-7009). During active fire restrictions, landowners must request a written exemption from the State Forester at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/. Private landowners who complete certification through the EMNRD Prescribed Burning program may conduct certified burns.
Get New Mexico burning permit ↗Or call the New Mexico forestry hotline: (505) 476-3326
New Mexico's peak fire danger occurs from early May through late June, immediately before the North American Monsoon typically begins in late June or early July. The eastern plains and grasslands of the state are especially vulnerable to wind-driven fires during drought years, while the mountainous north-central forests (Jemez Mountains, Sangre de Cristos) see danger peak in late May and June. Climate-driven snow droughts and warm winters have extended effective fire season into early spring and late fall.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
By the time you can smell the smoke, your neighbors may already be packing. Get the head start — FireRisk watches your exact address against the same official government feeds the pros use and emails you the moment something changes. 100% free.
Set up in 30 seconds · no app to install · unsubscribe anytime · awareness-only, not an emergency service.
The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for New Mexico. For the legally binding answer, check the official New Mexico source: New Mexico EMNRD Forestry at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions/. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, New Mexico prohibits: All campfires and open fires on non-federal, non-tribal, non-municipal state and private lands when statewide restrictions are in effect; Smoking outdoors; Discharge of fireworks of any kind; Prescribed burning, agricultural burning, and debris burning including slash piles, rangeland burning, and weed burning; Flaring of gas related to oil and gas production operations; Open burning of cropland, fields, and rangeland (except irrigated cropland, which may receive an exemption); Any fire activity without written approval from the State Forester during active restriction periods. Typically still allowed: Portable gas or propane camp stoves and grills with a shutoff valve; Open burning on irrigated cropland (may qualify for written exemption from State Forester); Prescribed burns conducted under a valid written exemption approved in advance by the State Forester; Smoking inside enclosed vehicles and buildings. Always verify the specific order with New Mexico EMNRD Forestry — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a New Mexico burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with New Mexico EMNRD Forestry before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in New Mexico independently: New Mexico EMNRD Forestry for statewide or regional orders; Board of County Commissioners for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in New Mexico have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
New Mexico's peak fire danger occurs from early May through late June, immediately before the North American Monsoon typically begins in late June or early July. The eastern plains and grasslands of the state are especially vulnerable to wind-driven fires during drought years, while the mountainous north-central forests (Jemez Mountains, Sangre de Cristos) see danger peak in late May and June. Climate-driven snow droughts and warm winters have extended effective fire season into early spring and late fall.
No open burning permit is generally required for small burns of vegetative material (10 acres or fewer of non-piled material per day, or up to 1,000 cubic feet of pile volume per day). Larger burns or prescribed burns require a Smoke Management Plan filed with NMED Air Quality Bureau (1-800-224-7009). During active fire restrictions, landowners must request a written exemption from the State Forester at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/. Private landowners who complete certification through the EMNRD Prescribed Burning program may conduct certified burns.
Violating a New Mexico burn ban can result in: Violation of State Forester fire restriction order (NMSA § 68-2-32): Class B misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail and/or up to $5,000 fine for individuals, up to $10,000 for organizations; Improper handling of fire causing damage (NMSA § 30-17-1): misdemeanor — up to 90 days jail and/or up to $500 fine; Violation of open burning air quality regulation (§ 74-2-14 NMSA): petty misdemeanor — up to $500 fine; BLM land restriction violation: up to $1,000 fine and up to 12 months imprisonment; Liable for full fire suppression costs if fire escapes.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of New Mexico. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor New Mexico EMNRD Forestry at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions/ for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official New Mexico agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
Get your free 0–100 wildfire risk score, every fire recorded nearby, what it means for your insurance, and the steps that lower it — built on official federal data.
Check my home’s wildfire risk score →