Burning Guidelines

With the surrounding area dry and in need of moisture, questions surface as to if burning is allowed and what can and cannot be burned.  The following are guidelines and requirements for county residents who wish to burn any trash or debris:

Any open burning, or agriculture burning (burning of crop land, fields, range land, debris burning/piles, prescribed burning, or weed burning) shall be permitted only after notice of the burn is given to the local emergency dispatch in Portales.  This notice must be received at least 24 hours before the scheduled burn. The citizen shall call 356-4404, ext. 0, and give the dispatcher the following information: 

a. Where and when the burn will take place
b. Who the responsible party of the burn is
c. Type of burn
d. Number of acres to be burned (if applicable).

Dispatch will then notify the fire department in that fire district the burn is to occur, notifying them of the scheduled control burn. 
In the event a control burn becomes uncontrolled, the responsible party should contact dispatch and request assistance from the district fire department. 

Failure to notify dispatch can result in the issuance of a fine for each violation.
 

Fines:
First Violation:  $100.00 to $250.00
Subsequent Violations: $250.00 to $500.00

Help protect your property and that of your neighbors.