The Rio Rancho City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to adopt the new Chapter 93 Fire Code Burning Regulation Ordinance.

The ordinance will take effect Feb. 7 and will make it illegal to burn leaves, green weeds, nuisance vegetation or garbage within city limits.

The new ordinance reads, “It is the intention of the governing body to regulate activities which pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of city residents.”

This is the first time the burning regulation has been updated since 1997.

In regards to weed burning, the regulation states that the Rio Rancho Fire Rescue has declared a burn day, and it will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

They require that people burning weeds conduct them at least 25 feet away from structures and combustible material and use fire extinguishing equipment. The burn pile should be less than 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall by 3 feet long.

Click here to read the full burn regulations.