An extreme drought has been declared by the Las Cruces City Council, limiting the locations legal fireworks will be allowed within the city for the next thirty days.
The resolution, unanimously passed by the council, will restrict the use of legal fireworks like flitter sparklers and crackling devices to completely barren land or areas that have readily accessible sources of water. Aerial fireworks remain illegal.
Las Cruces Fire Marshal Cody Haver says he looks forward to resuming more normal Fourth of July celebrations this year but emphasized protecting the Las Cruces community remains his number one priority. He noted the resolution has no bearing on the City of Las Cruces/New Mexico State University firework display.
“I think it is absolutely wonderful that we're able to celebrate the Fourth of July more this year than maybe we did last year, but, you know, please be safe about it,” Haver said. “Drought is a real thing here in our area…And so, we don't want to put that extra stress on our emergency responders to have to deal with those things as well as our normal call volume.”
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports the most intense period of drought since the creation of the monitoring system occurred in mid-January of this year and impacted over 54% of the state. For Haver, the drier landscape means increased safety precautions must be taken.
“Almost all of New Mexico is under moderate to exceptional drought this year,” Haver said. “We are in an extreme drought condition and have been for quite a while. And what that means is that according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, many things are occurring. Native vegetation is dying, creeks and riverbeds are nearly dry or almost dry, soil moisture is very low, humidity is very low.”
Councilor Tessa Abeyta-Stuve pointed to fire devastation she witnessed growing up as one reason the City of Las Cruces must work to protect the community.
“I grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico, which is no stranger to fires, and really, truly seeing the devastation that can happen when you have an uncontrolled burn. And it can start in numerous different ways,” Abeyta-Stuve said. “And I'll tell you, from the smoke, smelling it, seeing your house burned down and having just a go-bag for three days, it leaves an impact. And that was for over 285 homes of residential, and that can be very devastating for a community.”
Preventing that devastation is a priority for Councilor Johana Bencomo, who talked about the recent loss of Smokejumper Tim Hart. Hart died this month from injuries fighting a wildfire in Southwestern New Mexico.
“My condolences go to his family and his loved ones and his team,” Bencomo said. “I hope that the public understands, right, the risk that we put our fire crews in if we don't take these kinds of measures.”
Councilor Gabe Vasquez says responsible firework use, coupled with strong enforcement, will be the key to ensuring a safe summer.
“I know it's always a tall task each year because there are just so many fireworks that get brought in from different communities and across state lines, across county lines, that kind of thing. So, I know that gets tough,” Vasquez said. “And then yes, we are in potentially one of the worst fire years that I have seen.”
The restrictions, which remain in place through the beginning of next month, will include the Fourth of July weekend.
