COUNTY News:

Effective Wednesday, June 5, 2013 and in concert with the U.S. Forest Service,  National Park Service and Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County is under Stage II Fire Restrictions.

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire, campfire, charcoal or wood stove on all Los Alamos County lands including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites.
• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
• Discharging of firearms except at designated shooting ranges
• Fireworks as outlined in the County Fireworks Proclamation effective June 04, 2013 and in accordance with State Statute and County Code.
• Mechanical and Industrial Prohibitions

o   Operating any internal combustion engine

o   Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame

o   Using an explosive

Stage II Exemptions:

• Cooking fires on all residential property within Los Alamos County. The Los Alamos County Fire Department urges the public to take every precaution necessary on all properties to prevent a fire.
• Persons with a written permit from the State Foresty Office (505-476-3353) that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
• Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

Baseline Restrictions:

• Fireworks and incendiary devices are never allowed on federal public lands.
• National Parks, Monuments, Preserves and Wildlife Refuges host year round fire restrictions. Contact Bandelier National Park and Valles Caldera if you plan to visit for specific restrictions.

Follow the USFS and NM State Forestry Restrictions when outside of the municipality of Los Alamos. Visit www.nmforestry.com or http://firerestrictions.us for more information.

The Los Alamos County Fire Department continues to partner with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Valles Calderas National Preserve, Los Alamos National Laboratory and NM State Forestry and will closely monitor local wildfire conditions. Residents will be advised if/when these conditions change.