No burn ban, but fire consequences remain in Curry

Even though no burn ban has been enacted for Curry County there are still consequences for those responsible for starting fires that get out of control – fines up to $300, plus possible civil financial responsibilities.

So says David Kube, Curry County's fire and safety director. Kube appeared at Tuesday's Curry County Commission meeting requesting a burn ban be enacted in the county. His request was voted down, 3-2.

Commissioner Robert Thornton, who voted "no," said, "I don't think you should be telling people what to do on their property."

Kube said he believes a burn ban signifies a warning to area residents as to how serious conditions are in the county when it comes to fire danger.

"There is a small percentage of citizens who don't really believe in having restrictions put on them," Kube said. "A burn ban was to try to get that small percentage to comply."

"People generally don't burn when we have a burn ban in place," Kube continued. "We see better success when there's a burn ban."

Kube said the weather outlook for the next three months from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not good.

"NOAA's seasonal drought outlook for April, May and June is forecasting drought tendencies will persist through June 30," Kube said. "It's going to be dry."

Kube said the report indicates temperatures will be high. And rain?

"When it comes to precipitation, NOAA forecasts as far ahead as 30 days," Kube said. "That forecast says we have a 50 to 60 percent chance of less rainfall than normal."

Kube said he believes he knows why his burn ban request was voted down.

"I understand that citizens have been restricted so much by COVID, I can see their point," Kube said. "But a burn ban would have been helpful."

Even if a ban had been enacted there would have been allowances for agricultural burns.

"That's burning stubble after harvest," Kube said. "It used to be a lot of corn and milo stubble. Nowadays it's more wheat stubble."

Kube said many who have blazes that get out of control are deceived by conditions.

"Calm winds tend to make people think it's OK to burn," Kube said. "But winds here can change quickly. Or whirlwinds can come through."

Curry County has an ordinance on burning even without the more severe proposal Kube introduced.

"Citizens are subject to a fine of up to $300 if the fire gets out of control," Kube said. "There's also the civil liability if it gets out of control and damages other people's property."

"The sheriff, his deputies or state police will meet with the fire personnel who battled the blaze," Kube said. "If there was a violation of the standard ordinance police will decide if there will be a warning or a fine."

Kube said one tool used to control burning would be a burn permit. He said they are used in a number of New Mexico counties.

"Burn permits may need to be looked into for Curry County," Kube said.