State forestry officials banned campfires, smoking, fireworks and most outdoor burning starting April 6 as drought and wind conditions push New Mexico into an unusually severe fire season

Danielle Prokop, Source New Mexico

This article was originally published by Source New Mexico.

New Mexico forestry officials on Monday announced sweeping statewide fire restrictions to prevent wildfires during the state’s unseasonably hot and dry spring.

The restrictions ban smoking, fireworks and campfires, along with any prescribed agricultural and debris burning; or oil and gas production flaring on state lands. The state will allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis if weather or other conditions are met, according to a news release.

The order will remain in place until officials at the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department cancel the ban following improved conditions and lower wildfire danger.

New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy told Source NM 2026 is already a severe fire season, with 288 wildfires recorded in the first three months, more than double the average 136 fires recorded over the same period for the last five years. She said the dry conditions and state of vegetation compare to the year of the state’s most devastating fire on record.

“The snowpack is worse than it was in 2022; it was bad then, but it wasn’t this bad,” McCarthy said.

The state is working to hire additional firefighters, she said, with 180 applicants so far.

“We are preparing for an extraordinary wildfire season, with fire engines that are appropriate for wildland fire response already positioned around the state,” she said.

While the state’s order does not affect municipal, federal or tribal lands, it overlaps with recent fire restrictions adopted by counties and federal agencies.

County officials in Rio Arriba, Guadalupe and Catron have issued fire bans within their borders. Last week, the U.S. Forest Service issued higher-level fire restrictions in the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, which limit vehicles and machinery uses along with open flames.

Lower level fire restrictions are in place for the Santa Fe National Forest and Lincoln National Forest, which only allow campfires in specific stone-lined rings at campsites and ban smoking.

Danielle Prokop covers the environment and local government for Source New Mexico.