June 11 – The sale and use of most fireworks will be banned in all natural areas and unincorporated portions of Santa Fe County through Independence Day – into the second week of July.
County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to implement the restrictions — which do not apply to incorporated areas such as the city of Santa Fe or Española or the city of Edgewood — to reduce the chance of a human-caused wildfire.
“Persistent and severe drought conditions” have made the restrictions necessary, Santa Fe County Fire Marshal Jaome Blay told commissioners Tuesday.
The New Mexico State Forester supported the ban because “abnormally high temperatures, low humidity, high winds and the abundance of dry fuel material increase the likelihood of fires,” Blay said.
The ban covers rocket missiles, helicopters, air spinners, stick-type missiles and ground hearing aids. All other fireworks will be limited to “paved or barren” areas or areas with “a readily accessible water source for use by the homeowner or the general public,” the resolution said.
The ban expires after 30 days unless the County Commission extends it.
The drought is expected to “continue and worsen in Santa Fe County and New Mexico” in the coming weeks, according to projections from the U.S. National Integrated Drought Information System, Blay wrote in a memo to commissioners.
Commissioners called the fireworks ban “the responsible thing to do,” and Commissioner Anna Hansen said she hopes the city of Santa Fe will pass a similar ban.
‘We have to minimize it [fire] risk to our community continues,” said Commissioner Justin Greene.
