LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- Las Cruces is banning all open fires within the city limits because of extremely high fire danger.
The city fire department announced the ban on open burning on Monday.
Las Cruces and the rest of southern New Mexico is the midst of a severe drought and numerous grass and brush fires have erupted in recent weeks.
The ban will stay in place until enough rain has fallen to cut fire risk to acceptable levels.
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