Cloudcroft, NM Starts Water Restrictions

The southern New Mexico mountain village of Cloudcroft has put water and fire restrictions into effect because of extreme drought and increased fire danger.

Cloudcroft lies in Otero County, which is going into its 71st straight day with no rain.

The Lincoln National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands around Cloudcroft put fire restrictions into effect earlier.

Cloudcroft Mayor Dave Venable says he wants people to be conservative about using water.

The water restrictions limit the hours when people can water lawns and prohibit them from letting water flow into the streets or adjacent property.

Fires are banned outside fully enclosed permanent structures, camp trailers or mobile homes.

People also aren’t allowed to smoke outdoors except in areas free of combustible materials for a three-foot radius.

— Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com