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Torrance County imposes 60-day burn ban as dry conditions fuel fire risk
Summary
After a string of recent blazes, the county approved Resolution No. 2026-11 declaring a 60-day fire-danger emergency and imposing burning restrictions; commissioners cited multiple recent fires and an active 500–700-acre incident in an adjacent county.
Vice-Chair Linda Jaramillo and Commissioner Kevin McCall voted March 25 to adopt Resolution No. 2026-11, declaring a 60-day fire danger emergency in unincorporated Torrance County and imposing temporary burning restrictions.
County Fire Chief Gary Smith told commissioners the area had seen about 10 fires in recent weeks, with one outbuilding lost and an active incident in Valencia County estimated at 500–700 acres and 0% containment. Smith described the conditions as "extremely dry" and urged immediate restrictions to reduce ignition opportunities.
Commissioner Kevin McCall said the measure was a "smart, wise idea," and the Commission approved the resolution by roll-call vote (Schwebach absent; McCall yes; Jaramillo yes). The resolution directs county staff and the fire department to implement and enforce temporary burning prohibitions for 60 days while monitoring weather and fire behavior.
The action followed Fire Department briefings that forecast only a modest chance of precipitation and warned that short-term moisture would not remedy the longer-term drought. The resolution does not create new long-term regulations; it is a time-limited emergency restriction the county can revisit if conditions change.
