WHEREAS, the County of Taos is currently experiencing severe drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Hondo Fire has alerted the citizens of Taos county to the extent that the severe drought conditions are creating a dangerous Count-wide fire hazard; and
WHEREAS, the Taos County Board of Commissioners have today requested a disaster designation from the State of New Mexico because of the Hondo fire; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico State Statutes give the counties authority to issue emergency declarations.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Taos County Board of Commissioners, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Taos County, and in response to the continued threat of fire, declare an immediate emergency ban on all open and containerized burning in Taos County until further notice:
THE OPEN BURNING BAN shall include, but not limited to: Burning wood, brush, weeds and other ground cover; or Burning trash, refuse or garbage piles on open ground; or wood, coal, or charcoal camp fires, cook fires or bonfires; or The open burning of any materiel or fuel for any purpose that creates a fire hazard.
THE CONTAINERIZED BURNING BAN shall include, but not limited to: Burning wood, trash, refuse or garbage in barrels, fireplaces, stoves or other containers; or Burning gas, wood or charcoal for cooking in barbecues; or The containerized burning of any material or fuel for any purpose that creates a fire hazard.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this declaration shall be effective immediately upon signature by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Taos, New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that violations shall be a petty misdemeaner punishable by a fine of up to $999 and/or imprisonment of up to 179 days plus the cost for dispatching any fire fighting resource(s) used to contain and/or extinguish said fire; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution will be available from the Clerk of Taos County at the Taos County offices at 105 Albright Street in Taos, New Mexico.
PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 8TH DAY OF MAY 1996
{SEAL}
TAOS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Gabriel J. Romero, Chairman
Celestino Romero, Member
Sofio D. Ortega, Member
ATTEST:
Carmen M. Medina
Taos County Clerk