Why it matters here
The East Mountains are wooded, and many homes sit at the end of long, narrow, steep drives. In a fire or medical emergency, crews need to get large vehicles in, turn around and get out.
What to look at
- Width. Enough for a fire engine, with room at curves.
- Overhead clearance. Branches trimmed well above the drive.
- Turnaround. A place near the house for a large vehicle to turn.
- Pull-outs. On long drives, places to pass.
- Grade and surface. A firm, all-weather surface that heavy vehicles won't sink into.
- Address marking visible from the road.
Requirements vary
Specific widths, grades and turnaround sizes depend on the county, the fire district and when the home was built. If you're building or doing a major driveway project, ask Bernalillo County or your fire district what applies. We'll build to whatever you need.
What we can do
Widen drives, build turnarounds and pull-outs, and pave or chip seal the surface so it holds up under heavy trucks.
Questions we get
How wide should my driveway be for a fire truck?
Requirements vary. Ask your county or fire district; we'll build to their numbers.
Do I need a turnaround?
On long drives, it's strongly worth having, and may be required for new homes.
Is gravel OK for fire access?
A firm, compacted, all-weather surface is what matters.