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Bernalillo County introduces open-burn resolution after officials describe early, intensified wildfire risk
Summary
County fire and emergency managers urged flexibility and added detection tools as commissioners agreed to introduce — and later consider final adoption of — an open-burning resolution amid an early snowpack melt and higher fire risk.
Bernalillo County officials on May 12 introduced a resolution to restrict open burning if worsening conditions require it, after fire and emergency-management staff described an accelerated wildfire season.
Fire Chief Zach Lardy told the commission the county has shifted to a data-driven approach this year and is coordinating closely with other county departments. Chief Lardy said crews and partners are using new detection tools, including AI-powered cameras and satellite alerts, to find and respond to ignitions quickly.
"Our goal is to make sure that we're addressing the risk as it exists and that we're responsive to that risk as it develops," Chief Lardy said. Emergency management staff emphasized that an early melt in statewide snowpack has effectively moved the county "about a month ahead of schedule" in fuel drying.
Deputy staff described a seven-day look-ahead process with the National Weather Service so local officials can judge the combination of humidity, wind and fuel loading that drives red-flag conditions. Staff asked the commission to allow introduction of a resolution tonight so the public could weigh in during a future public hearing and the body could return for final adoption if needed.
Commissioners debated whether to impose a formal countywide burn ban now or rely on day-by-day prohibitions already available under county code. Commissioner Olivas argued that federal partners had already implemented restrictive measures on nearby federal lands and urged stronger, clearer countywide messaging; other commissioners and staff said the county has effectively maintained a de facto ban on high-risk days by issuing daily prohibitions and that a formal, long-term ban risks reducing public compliance when staff later need to allow low-risk, controlled burning.
County staff also outlined community-preparation and mitigation actions: expanded green-waste disposal events in the East Mountains, requests that residents sign up for evacuation alerts and be ready to leave when officials mandate evacuation, and a public-information campaign using county communications resources.
The commission voted 4–0 to introduce the resolution, which staff said will return for final adoption if weather and fuel conditions warrant further restrictions.
What happens next: Staff will publish the public hearing date and continue the county's seven-day, data-informed monitoring; if conditions worsen, the commission can adopt a more formal, time-limited ban at a subsequent meeting.
