March

Spring is a Time for Action

Now is the time for residents of the southwest to take proactive steps against destructive wildfire.

What are ways you can help your community prepare for all hazards and become more resilient to wildfire? 

Communication - It is important to help your community understand how they will be notified in the event of a wildfire (or other hazard), know what actions they should take, and how to prepare for evacuation. Work with your local Office of Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, and others who may be involved during an evacuation to ensure everyone in your community knows their role and how they will communicate.

Prepare - Organize a community workday around fire preparedness. There are many local and national organizations that can assist with resident mitigation.  Resident mitigation includes those actions which you can take around the home (as well as other structures) and in neighborhoods to create conditions that resist ignition or lead to low-intensity fire. Team up with neighbors to clean up yards and remove debris from around properties, including rooftops. 

Plan - Make or refresh your family members’ go-bags. Or, if your go-bags are ready, make a

go-bag to give to a neighbor. Create or practice your family emergency plan. Know two ways out of your

neighborhood, and other locations where you and your family members spend time. Remember, you may have to evacuate from a location other than your home.

March kicks off Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, a time to bring awareness to wildfire preparedness. Each day brings a new opportunity to better prepare you, your family, and community for wildfire. Throughout Wildfire Awareness Week, New Mexico’s wildland fire agencies will share daily tips on how to best take action by preventing wildfires, preparing defensible private property, organizing and protecting communities, and learning more about wildland fire. Daily Wildfire Awareness Week messages will be shared via NMfireinfo.com.

To learn more about how you can prepare for wildfire visit these resources:

New Mexico Preparedness Resources - https://nmfireinfo.com/information/before-a-wildfire/

New Mexico - https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/fire-p

February

Get to Know Ready, Set, Go!

The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.

Whether you live in the wildland-urban interface or in a rural area in the mountains, communication is key during wildfire season. Be sure to register with your local government’s emergency management office for text or email notifications and connect with your county or city’s social media. The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan. 

Ready – Get Ready 

• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan. 

• Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies. 

Set – Be Prepared to Go  

• Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See InciWeb and NM Fire Info. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet.  

• Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information.  

• Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle. 

Go – Act Early, Evacuate 

• Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you. 

• Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire. 

December

Don’t Hibernate on a Preparedness Plan

Take this seasonal break to create or review and improve your personal preparedness plan for emergencies.

Although emergencies and disasters can occur at any moment, the winter months – when wildfire risk is at its lowest – are a good time to create a preparedness plan and identify personal needs and prioritize tasks without the urgency of an emergency. The plan should be shared with every member of the family so everyone in your household is on the same page in the event of an emergency, especially if family members will be at work, daycare or school. 

• Sit down with family members to discuss topics such as signing up for alerts and warnings, developing a shelter plan, identifying evacuation routes and a meeting location, and creating a family communication plan with everyone’s phone number. This is also a good time to make sure each family member has a “go bag” with emergency supplies and knows where their bag is stored. 

• Consider specific needs for your household, how those needs will be met and who will be responsible for what. Specifics for your household could include dietary and medical needs, including prescriptions and medical equipment, ages of family members, pets and service animals, disabilities or access needs, languages spoken in the household, and cultural and religious considerations.  

• Write down your plan or fill out one of the forms provided on Ready.gov or Redcross.org and make sure every family member has a copy. 

• Practice your plan with your family/household and run through various scenarios such as an emergency occurring on a weekday versus a weekend. 

November

Don’t Fall Behind

In the event of a wildfire, leaves and needles are a fuel source for embers and can ignite easily allowing fires to spread to your home.  

This month’s Wildfire Preparedness Is Year-Round Message: Don’t Fall Behind. Maintain preparedness by clearing leaves and debris around your home.  Areas to focus on should be:  

Rooftops/Gutters  

Typically, the most vulnerable area of a home is the rooftop.  Clean around your rooftop and gutters ensuring they are free of leaves, needles, and vegetation.   

Deck/Balconies  

Decks and balconies should be cleaned and free of leaves and pine needles.  

Landscape/Outlying Structures  

Rake and clear areas surrounding your home and any outlying structures ensuring they are clean and free of debris and leaf litter.    

Preparedness year-round helps to keep your home and property safe from wildfire.  For additional preparedness tip visit NFPA - Preparing Homes for Wildfires.  

October

Prescribed Fire Smoke is in the Air – Be Prepared

There are ways that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of prescribed fire smoke.

The best way to prepare for wildfire or prescribed fire smoke is to get accurate, up-to-date information on wildland fire activity in New Mexico. To get the best information on prescribed fire in your area, you can visit: nmfireinfo.com. For an interactive map or air quality, visit: fire.airnow.gov. For tips on how to mitigate your exposure to smoke, visit the American Lung Association’s webpage.

Limiting your Smoke Exposure

• Reducing physical outdoor activity is an effective strategy to lower the dose of inhaled air pollutants and reduce health risks during a smoke event.

• Staying inside in a safe place with the doors and windows closed can reduce exposure to air pollution by at least a third or more.

Filtering your Air

One of the best ways to reduce the impact of smoke is by reducing the amount of smoke that enters your building and filtering harmful particles from the air.

• If you have a central air conditioning system in your home, set it to re-circulate or close outdoor air intakes to avoid drawing in smoky outdoor air.  Upgrading the filter efficiency of the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and changing filters frequently during smoke events greatly improves indoor air quality.  

• Smaller portable air cleaners are a great way to provide clean air in the areas where you spend most of your time. These are filters with an attached fan that draws air through the filter and cleans it.  These cleaners can help reduce indoor particle levels, provided the specific air cleaner is properly matched to the size of the indoor environment in which it is placed, and doors and windows are kept shut. They should be placed in the bedrooms or living rooms to provide the most effectiveness. To learn more about selecting a filter, click here.

September

Thank You Firefighters

Each year wildland firefighters rise to the challenge of protecting life, property, and natural and cultural resources.

With Labor Day around the corner, we show appreciation and recognize the hard work and dedication of every wildland first responder, including the many volunteer fire departments around the state. Thank you also to the families and friends of wildland fire responders who make it possible for these individuals to be away for weeks at a time.

As we prepare to enjoy Labor Day festivities, we encourage New Mexicans to recreate responsibly so that we can avoid additional human-caused wildfire ignitions as conditions dry out into Fall. As the number of new fire starts goes down,  firefighters will get a chance to rest and recuperate to be ready for the next call.   

Here are some ways that you can recreate responsibly this Labor Day weekend and help our first responders: 

• Is your vehicle and trailer road-ready? Conduct a pre-trip inspection and ensure all necessary maintenance has been completed. 

• Check tire lugnuts to ensure proper torque or tires can come off. 

• Grease trailer wheel bearings or they may overheat. 

• Improperly inflated tires or those in degraded condition may fail, causing the rim to drag and spark. 

• Don’t overload your trailer’s weight ratings, axles can bend and cause tire failure or the axle itself to fail. 

• Ensure trailer chains are not dragging on the ground. 

• Brakes worn too thin may cause metal to metal contact, which can cause a spark. Trailer brakes can also seize up and overheat. 

• Never park or drive over dry grass or brush. 

• Utility Vehicles (UTVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) can start wildfires. Be sure to clean out any vegetation accumulated underneath and conduct regular maintenance. Also carry a fire extinguisher. 

• In your vehicle, carry a fire extinguisher (ABC 10 lb. or larger), a shovel and extra water. These tools can make the difference by stopping a fire before it becomes a wildfire. 

• Extinguish all smoking materials and dispose of ashes and butts in trash receptacles for that purpose. 

• If a fire starts, report it to 9-1-1 immediately. 

August

Risk and Danger in the Post-fire Environment

Both during and after a wildfire, immediate safety should be the first consideration.

After Wildfire, A Guide for New Mexico Communities | Afterwildfirenm.org, has been developed to assist individuals and communities following a wildfire. The guide is designed to help residents plan ahead for flooding and erosion. The guide includes information on personal and family safety, community mobilization, post-fire treatments, financial tips, flood information and additional resources such as caring for pets or livestock post-fire.

Both during and after a wildfire, immediate safety should be the first consideration. After a fire, flash flooding, structural damage, debris flows, road instability or tree damage may occur. It is critical to check with local officials before re-entering an area to ensure it is safe to do so. Additional tips include:

• Stay away from arroyos and channels. Flooding or debris flows can be sudden, and ditches can be deadly.

• Keep a battery-powered radio to listen to weather and flash flooding alerts if you lose power.

• Have an evacuation plan in place and make sure all family members practice it.

• Only return home once authorities say it is safe to do so.

• Do not drink or use faucet water after flooding until officials say it is safe to do so.

• Use caution around trees and power poles, and never touch power lines.

• Contact utility and gas companies prior to turning on any utilities that are off or not functioning.

• Document damage and contact your insurance company prior to beginning clean-up efforts.

New Mexico’s local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) may be able to provide help after a wildfire or post-fire impacts. For a listing of SWCDs, visit the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD) website.

July

Celebrate with One Less Spark!

Leaving fireworks to the professionals reduces the risk of injury, unintentional wildfire starts, roof damage, and litter. Consider celebrating with safer, alternative methods.

Leaving fireworks to the professionals reduces the risk of injury, unintentional wildfire starts, roof damage, and litter. Consider celebrating with safer, alternative methods:

· Glow sticks – safe for all ages!

· Noisemakers.

· Red, white, and blue silly string.

· Outdoor movie night with a projector.

· Finding professional fireworks show nearby.

Remember, firefighting professionals are usually busy and stretched thin during Fourth of July week. By limiting unwanted sparks due to fireworks, campfires, and BBQs; everyone can do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires this summer.

If fire restrictions are in place, consider using gas-powered camp stoves and firepits. Always be cognizant of your stove and campfire placement. Setting up stoves near tall dead grass during windy days still presents a risk. When using charcoal grills, don’t dump coals in the woods; they may seem out but can re-ignite when hot. To check for fire restrictions in your area visit: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/

If there are no fire restrictions currently in place, it does not mean wildfire risk is nonexistent. Recreate responsibly so all can enjoy this year’s Independence Day!

June

When Wind Blows, Embers May Follow!

Even the smallest ember can pose a risk to homes and structures when deposited by the wind.

Home hardening and yard maintenance is critical to reducing your risk and hazards near your home. Start with low-cost actions:

• Maintain a 5-foot area around all structures on the property free of flammable vegetation or material.

• Trim all vegetation away from structure walls and roof.

• Screen all vents with 1/8” noncombustible mesh.

• Screen all stovepipes or chimneys with noncombustible mesh that’s no larger than ½”.

• Install metal flashing between decks or fences and any combustible siding on the house.

• Install weather stripping or caulk openings around garage doors, inspect for cracked or degraded wood where embers could land and fix or replace.

• Regularly clean up accumulation of windblown leaves, needles or other flammable materials on and around structures and fences on your property.

May

Get to Know Ready, Set, Go!

With the start of the 2023 wildfire season in New Mexico and Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday May 6th, it is vital to have an emergency kit and an evacuation plan in place for you and your family.

Whether you live in the wildland-urban interface or in a rural area in the mountains, communication is key during wildfire season. Be sure to register with your local government’s emergency management office for text or email notifications and connect with your county or city’s social media. The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan. 

Ready – Get Ready 

• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan. 

• Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies. 

Set – Be Prepared to Go  

• Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See inciweb.nwcg.gov and nmfireinfo.com. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet.  

• Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information.  

• Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle. 

Go – Act Early, Evacuate 

• Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you. 

• Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire. 

April

Get your Home in Condition to Resist Wildfire Ignitions

It is important for residents to evaluate their homes and structures for resilience from wildfires.

Most homes ignited by wildfires are caused by embers or small flames. Homeowners can minimize property damage and protect firefighters by taking steps on and around buildings in the short and long-term.

Actions You Can Take Today

• Minimize Flammable Debris: Keep roofs and rain gutters free of pine needles, leaves, and other flammable material.

• Keep firewood and other flammable debris a minimum of 50 feet from the house, preferably on the uphill side.

• Remove all trees and large shrubs within 30 feet of the home.

• To a distance of 100 feet (200 feet on steep lots), remove some trees and shrubs to create 10 feet of space between adjoining tree’s outermost branches. Prune lower branches of remaining trees up to 10 feet off the ground.

Actions in the Long-Term

• Use Fire Resistant Construction and Landscaping. Wood shake shingle roofs are highly flammable. Convert roof to Class A fire resistant materials such as fiberglass-asphalt, metal, and tile.

• Construct decks and siding with non-combustible materials.

• Screen openings under decks and attic and foundation vents.

March

Spring is Here, Keep Vegetation Cleared

March is a great time to do spring cleaning around your property and create the spacing that can help protect your home

As we enter springtime, we have an opportunity to prepare for the drier conditions and wildfire season. March is a great time to do spring cleaning around your property and create the spacing that can help protect your home. 

The Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner is available for New Mexicans to assist in reducing fire’s threat to your home and other structures. By creating vertical and horizontal spacing of vegetation, you may reduce the ability of wildfire to spread unimpeded. It may involve removing some trees or brush to increase the horizontal spacing as well as removing lower branches to increase the vertical spacing from the ground. 

Closer to your home or other structures, embers can land and ignite flammable materials that may destroy or damage them. To reduce this potential, you can take the following actions: 

• Clean up dead vegetation that gets trapped against your house, under your deck, and against fences. Make sure to remove fine fuels, such as pine needles, leaves or anything else that may ignite when exposed to an ember or flame.  

• Replace mulch from around the base of your home with a non-flammable material such as river rock or pea gravel.  

• Keep any plants in the 5-foot zone irrigated and pruned. Replace vegetation that is woody, dry or difficult to maintain with low-maintenance, fire-resistant vegetation using this high-elevation, fire-wise planting guide.  

• Store firewood, gas cans, lawn mowers, cardboard or other combustible materials 5 or more feet away from the outside walls of the house. 

If you are burning debris to dispose of slash or other vegetation, follow all local burn ordinances and be aware of current and forecasted weather conditions. Don’t ignite on Red Flag days, when strong winds, dry air and dry vegetation can be dangerous. 

February

Preparedness is all Year, Pack a Go-Bag and Keep it Near

It is vital to have an emergency kit and an evacuation plan in place for you and your family.

The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.

Ready – Get Ready

• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan.

• Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies.

Set – Be Prepared to Go

• Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See InciWeb and NM Fire Info. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet.

• Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information.

• Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle.

Go – Act Early, Evacuate

• Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you.

• Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire.

January

Resolve to be Ready

Stay active this Winter to reduce wildfire risk in an incremental way.

There are many resources available to learn about Living with Wildfire and Ready, Set, Go! principles to help protect your family and home. Consider sharing what you learn with neighbors to enhance the effectiveness of your own planning and action. 

Resolve to be Ready: 

• Sign up for county-level or local emergency alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app or check with your city or county government to see if they have an alert and notification system in place

• Bookmark NM Fire Info and Inciweb for up-to-date wildfire information.

• Make an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact. 

• Take a current photo of you and your pet(s) together in case you get separated during a disaster. 

• Get to know your neighbors and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan. 

• Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online. 

• Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies. 

• Take a class in CPR and first aid. 

• Keep and update emergency supplies, including cash. 

• Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage. 

• Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like wildfire and floods. Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes. 

• Save for a rainy day! Start and grow your emergency fund.  Financially prepare for the New Year. Find out how with the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

December

Don’t Hibernate on a Preparedness Plan

Take this seasonal break to create or review and improve your personal preparedness plan for emergencies.

Although emergencies and disasters can occur at any moment, the winter months – when wildfire risk is at its lowest – are a good time to create a preparedness plan and identify personal needs and prioritize tasks without the urgency of an emergency. The plan should be shared with every member of the family so everyone in your household is on the same page in the event of an emergency, especially if family members will be at work, daycare or school.

• Sit down with family members to discuss topics such as signing up for alerts and warnings, developing a shelter plan, identifying evacuation routes and a meeting location, and creating a family communication plan with everyone’s phone number. This is also a good time to make sure each family member has a “go bag” with emergency supplies and knows where their bag is stored.

• Consider specific needs for your household, how those needs will be met and who will be responsible for what. Specifics for your household could include dietary and medical needs, including prescriptions and medical equipment, ages of family members, pets and service animals, disabilities or access needs, languages spoken in the household, and cultural and religious considerations.

• Write down your plan or fill out one of the forms provided on Ready.gov or Redcross.org and make sure every family member has a copy.

• Practice your plan with your family/household and run through various scenarios such as an emergency occurring on a weekday versus a weekend.

November

Sign up for Alerts and Connect with Neighbors

Since wildfire does not respect property lines, November is a good time of year to help your community become a fire-adapted community that is more resilient to the impacts of wildfire and better able to coexist with fire on the landscape

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t take the time to think about the risk of wildfire until they face a direct threat within their neighborhood or area. Check your address for risk on a local community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) map or on a website like wildfirerisk.org or riskfactor.com. Check this list of preparedness events to find one that will increase awareness of wildfire risk in your neighborhood. Check with your city or county to see if there is an opt-in emergency alert system and encourage your neighbors to sign up.

Once a community understands wildfire is a real risk, it may be easier to get people to be proactive. Share concrete ideas about the actions homeowners can take, such as creating defensible space, having an evacuation plan, improving their access and egress routes, and reducing the ignitability of structures. Living with Wildfire Guide for New Mexico and the Ready, Set, Go action plan are both good resources to share. Hold a community debris day where neighbors offer their specific skill or tools, like a chainsaw or leaf blower, for the greater good.

Homeowners who understand the risks will probably want to know more. Many local fire departments will meet with community associations and conduct home hazard assessments. You can also use the Home Hazard Assessment Guide and the Home Hazard Assessment Worksheet (to be used with guide) to analyze your risks and develop a plan for action around your property.

September

Don’t “FALL” behind

Although much of New Mexico has seen a robust monsoon season, large wildfires in other parts of the country have created competition for firefighting resources at the national level.

Fall is not the time to fall behind on wildfire preparedness. Although much of New Mexico has seen a robust monsoon season, large wildfires in other parts of the country have created competition for firefighting resources at the national level. The national wildland fire preparedness level is currently at 4 out of a possible 5, which means approximately 60% of all incident management teams and firefighting personnel are committed to incidents, and some fires may last until winter snow falls, putting additional stress on exhausted personnel.

Doing some work now can help protect your home and give you a jump start for next spring.

• Cut grasses and weeds within 100 feet of structures with a mower or weed eater to a height of 4 inches or less.

• Rake and remove clippings within 30 feet of structures

For additional information, check the National Fire Protection Association’s guidance on protecting your home from wildfire.

August

Risk and Danger in the Post-Fire Environment

There are a number of services available and actions that can be taken to help protect families and property in fire-affected areas.

After Wildfire, A Guide for New Mexico Communities | Afterwildfirenm.org/, has been developed to assist individuals and communities following a wildfire. The guide is designed to help residents plan ahead for flooding and erosion. The guide includes information on personal and family safety, community mobilization, post-fire treatments, financial tips, flood information and additional resources such as caring for pets or livestock post-fire.

Both during and after a wildfire, immediate safety should be the first consideration. After a fire, flash flooding, structural damage, debris flows, road instability or tree damage may occur. It is critical to check with local officials before re-entering an area to ensure it is safe to do so. Additional tips include:

• Stay away from arroyos and channels. Flooding or debris flows can be sudden, and ditches can be deadly.

• Keep a battery-powered radio to listen to weather and flash flooding alerts if you lose power.

• Have an evacuation plan in place and make sure all family members practice it.

• Only return home once authorities say it is safe to do so.

• Do not drink or use faucet water after flooding until officials say it is safe to do so.

• Use caution around trees and power poles, and never touch power lines..

• Contact utility and gas companies prior to turning on any utilities that are not functioning or off.

• Document damage and contact your insurance company prior to beginning clean-up efforts.

July

Skip the Fireworks to Support Firefighters

Keep our communities safe by following all federal, state and local laws prohibiting fireworks this Fourth of July.

Here are a few things you can do to make sure you are following federal, state and local laws prohibiting fireworks:  

• Remember, fireworks are ALWAYS illegal on federal lands. Still, be sure to check for fire restrictions and closures before you plan to visit public lands to make sure your non-firework holiday plans are permitted. Fireworks are also currently prohibited on State lands.

• Remember, if you are staying in town, many municipalities have fire restrictions that are not listed in the link above. Be sure to check with your local fire department or government agency for restrictions before building a campfire or lighting fireworks.

• Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Check your local events calendar for a firework display that you can enjoy without contributing to wildfire risk in your area.

Although you may not be lighting off fireworks, your neighbors may have different plans. Enjoy your Independence Day celebration and rest easy by hardening your home to embers and flames.

• Don’t lose your house to a spark gone astray. Clean your gutters and roof to prepare your home for wildfire season and the Fourth of July.

• Reduce the risk of ember ignitions to your house by preparing the five-foot zone around your structure.

• Create defensible space in the 30-foot zone around your house so you have a fighting chance to save it in the event of a wildfire.

June

Know Before You Go!

Do your part by learning about fire restrictions and area closures across the state before planning your weekend and summer activities or any recreation on public lands.

Always check for fire restrictions and closures in the area you plan to visit BEFORE you leave. Fire restrictions on other lands, including federal and tribal jurisdictions, are generally implemented in stages as follows:

Stage 1: Prohibits:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. Be aware that fireworks are always prohibited on federal lands in NM.

• Stage 2: Prohibits:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove in any location.

  • Smoking, except in a vehicle or enclosed building.

  • Using fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices.

  • Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine (is usually restricted to cooler and more humid morning hours).

  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.

  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

  • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads on federal lands, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

  • Violating any state law, that specifically concerns burning, fires, or that which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire

• Stage 3: Is a closure that prohibits entering upon public lands due to the extreme fire danger or the threat to public health and safety from an ongoing wildfire.

May

Wildfire Season is Here, Pack a Go-Bag and Keep it Near

With the 2022 wildfire season off to an early start in New Mexico, it is vital to have an emergency kit and an evacuation plan in place for you and your family.

The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.

Ready – Get Ready

• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan.

• Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies.

Set – Be Prepared to Go

• Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See inciweb.nwcg.gov and nmfireinfo.com. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet.

• Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information.

• Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle.

Go – Act Early, Evacuate

• Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you.

• Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire.

April

Prepare for Flames and Sparks Before Wildfire Season

It is important to be prepared before the onset of red flag conditions to reduce your property’s wildfire risk.

To prepare your home, concentrate on the following:

Trees

• Cut down any dead trees close to your home

• Remove overhanging limbs, especially dead ones

Shrubs

• Thin shrubs throughout your yard and remove dead vegetation

• If shrubs are touching the exterior of your home, replant them further away or make sure they stay green, watered, and thinned throughout the fire season

Exterior of Home

• Build or remodel with fire-resistant materials

• Consider using xeriscape landscaping and non-flammable materials within 5 feet of your home

• Remove plants that climb up the wall and under the eaves

Decks/Balconies

• Enclose the foundation and undersides of decks and balconies with flame-resistant sheeting or metal screens

• Use fire-resistant decking and outdoor furniture

• Keep decks clear of combustible items like leaves and pine needles

Combustibles

• Relocate woodpiles away from structures, including sheds and barns

• Clear at least a 10-foot area around your propane tank. Keep your grill and propane cylinders at least 10 feet from any structure. Never store propane cylinders in the basement, garage, or shed. Think about acquiring an outdoor cabinet and clearly label it "flammable" for firefighters’ knowledge.

March

When Wind Blows, Embers Can Follow

Take steps now to harden your home and create defensible space is the best ways to reduce the threat of embers and wildfire to you, your family, and your community.

Take steps now to harden your home and create defensible space is the best ways to reduce the threat of embers and wildfire to you, your family, and your community. Start by focusing on areas around the outside of your house and the exteriors of barns, sheds, and other structures where hot embers could land and spark a fire.

Areas to concentrate on include the following:

Roof 

• Replace wood shingles with fire resistant materials

• Clean rain gutters and roof of leaf and pine needle debris regularly

• Remove overhanging branches

Vents and Eaves

• Close vents and eaves with 1/8” metal screens to keep embers out of attic

• Use baffled attic vents

Deck/Balconies

• Enclose undersides of decks, balconies, and foundation of home with flame resistant sheeting

• Use fire resistant decking and outdoor furniture

• Keep deck clear of combustible items, including leaves and pine needles

Windows

• Install double pane windows with tempered glass for windows and skylights to prevent breakage from radiant heat

• Seal gaps in windows and doors, including the garage

Exterior Walls

• Build or remodel with fire resistant materials

• Remove plants that climb up house and under eaves

• Use fire resistant landscaping

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February

Prune your Trees for those Hotter Degrees!

Recognizing that longer, more extreme fire seasons are likely to continue, preparing our homes, properties, and communities for wildfire is more important than ever.

This month, follow the guidance of the National Fire Protection Association to prepare your Home Ignition Zone for wildfire. These guidelines can make even first-timers feel confident they won’t damage their trees:

• Learn about your specific vegetation by exploring NMSU Extension’s Yard and Garden page, or by reaching out to a Soil and Water Conservation District near you.

• Start with sharp pruners, loppers or a saw.

• Remove any branches that are crossed over or rubbing.

• Remove all damaged or dying branches that look diseased.

• Dispose of wood offsite or safely burn it, especially if wood may be diseased.

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January

Resolve to Be Ready!

While winter may provide a break from wildfire activity, wildfires are possible during any time of year.

There are many resources available to learn about Living with Wildfire and Ready, Set, Go! principles to help protect your family and home. Consider sharing what you learn with neighbors to enhance the effectiveness of your own planning and action.

Resolve to be ready:

• Make an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes and establish an out-of-town contact.

• Take a current photo of you and your pet(s) together in case you get separated during a disaster.

• Get to know your neighbors and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.

• Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.

• Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.

• Take a class in CPR and first aid.

• Keep and update emergency supplies, including cash.

• Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.

• Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like wildfire and floods. Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes.

• Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app or check with your city or county government to see if they have an alert and notification system in place.

• Save for a rainy day! Start and grow your emergency fund. Financially prepare for the New Year. Find out how with the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

December

Make a Holiday Safety List and Check it Twice!

Don’t forget fire safety as you prepare for holiday festivities this December. Before you deck the halls, it’s a good idea to take a little extra time to make sure happy holidays don’t turn into a tragedy.

Simple steps on this holiday checklist will ensure that you and your home don’t become a statistic. 

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off when touched, cut 2 inches from the base when you get it home, and add water to the tree stand daily. One quart of water per inch of trunk diameter is a good rule of thumb. This NFPA video illustrates how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames. 

• If you prefer an artificial tree, make sure you purchase a flame-resistant model. 

• Don’t place your tree too close to electrical or heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators and candles. 

• Check your Christmas lights for frayed wires or excessive wear before you hang them, and don’t exceed the maximum number of light strands that can be connected. 

• Touch test your extension cords after plugging them in and make sure they are not hot. Don’t tuck them under the tree skirt or area rugs 

• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always unplug tree lights before you leave the house or go to bed. 

• If your Christmas tree catches fire, call 911. Even if you extinguish the blaze, it’s best to have professional firefighters assess the situation and make sure it’s safe.  

• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. 

• Finally, always have a home escape plan ready and practice it with your family and guests. 

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November

Don’t be a Turkey, Keep Fire Safety First!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and while many New Mexicans are planning their holiday menu, we must remember that carelessness while cooking can lead to a fire tragedy.

October

Don’t be Afraid, Take Preventative Action!

With fall comes the start of another season, prescribed fire season. As we head into prescribed fire season, and begin smelling smoke, The Forest Stewards Guild and the Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network want to remind residents and visitors of the important role that fire plays in our forests.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires and the second leading cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. Approximately 52% of home cooking fires start from fat, grease or oil. Turkey frying is a top culprit as the oil can reach temperatures of at least 350 degrees. One slip could not only ruin your Thanksgiving feast but could also destroy your home and put your family and neighbors in danger from wildfire.

Here are some tips from the U.S. Fire Administration and NFPA that could keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

• Only use your turkey fryer outdoors on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use.

• Make sure your turkey fryer is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves.

• Clear leaves, pine needles and woody debris within 10 feet of the area where you are frying.

• Make sure your turkey is fully thawed without frost on it before you fry it.

• Never leave your turkey fryer unattended and check the temperature frequently to prevent the oil from overheating.

• Always wear long cooking gloves to cover hands and arms while using a turkey fryer.

• Keep children and pets far away from the turkey fryer.

• Consider using a safer alternative, such as an electric or air fryer.

To reintroduce low-severity fire to fire-adapted forests, land managers across New Mexico use prescribed fire under carefully planned conditions that typically align with Spring and Fall weather. Prescribed fire includes both pile burning and broadcast burning and can be used to achieve a wide range of management objectives, including:

• Reducing wildfire risk,

• Improving the growth of native plants in the understory,

• Creating wildlife habitat,

• Protecting water sources, and more.

To learn more about prescribed fire:  

• Read about the passage of the Prescribed Burning Act by New Mexico legislature in 2021 

• Read about the usage of Prescribed Fire on Private Land in New Mexico 

• Get involved with the New Mexico Prescribed Fire Council 

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September

Give Firefighters a Break! Stop Fires Before they Start!

Now is not the time to let our guard down in New Mexico. The National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level remains at 5 (PL5). At the highest rating, ongoing and additional wildfires have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. No matter your outdoor activity or whether you are just traveling, you can prevent wildfires caused by vehicles by taking some simple actions.

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Is your vehicle and trailer road-ready? Conduct a pre-trip inspection and ensure all necessary maintenance has been completed.

  • Check tire lugnuts to ensure proper torque or tires can come off.

  • Grease trailer wheel bearings or they may overheat.

  • Improperly inflated tires or those in degraded condition may fail, causing the rim to drag and spark.

  • Don’t overload your trailer’s weight ratings, axles can bend and cause tire failure or the axle itself to fail.

  • Ensure trailer chains are not dragging on the ground.

  • Brakes worn too thin may cause metal to metal contact, which can cause a spark. Trailer brakes can also seize up and overheat.

• Never park or drive over dry grass or brush.

• Utility Vehicles (UTVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) can start wildfires. Be sure to clean out any vegetation accumulated underneath and conduct regular maintenance. Also carry a fire extinguisher.

• In your vehicle, carry a fire extinguisher (ABC 10 lb. or larger), a shovel and extra water. These tools can make the difference by stopping a fire before it becomes a wildfire.

• Extinguish all smoking materials and dispose of ashes and butts in trash receptacles for that purpose.

• If a fire starts, report it to 9-1-1 immediately.

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August

Turn that last summer vacation into a teaching moment of campfire safety!

Summer is quickly coming to an end, and students across New Mexico will soon be heading back to school. And while it’s a perfect time to make lasting memories around the campfire with the kids, it’s also an opportunity to teach them about wildfire safety.

If you’re planning to camp out for that final summer trip, be sure to bring along the following safety tips to teach the kids while cooking up delicious s’mores around the campfire!

• Choose campsites with preexisting fire circles or fire pits, or consider portable propane fire pits that produce instant heat and can be turned off immediately with no hot coals to worry about.

• Clear a 10-foot-wide space around the fire ring and make sure there are no low-hanging limbs or branches over the fire area.

• Keep campfires small and never build a fire in dry or windy conditions.

• Pitch tents and park campers at least 15 feet away and downwind of your fire.

• EXTINGUISH THE FIRE PROPERLY BEFORE LEAVING OR GOING TO BED: Drown the campfire with water, stir everything in the pit with a shovel, then test for heat with the back of your hand. If it feels warm, it’s still too hot to leave. Add more water, stir, and keep testing until the fire is dead out.

• Always check for fire restrictions. Some areas of New Mexico may still be under fire restrictions due to severe drought conditions and may not be listed in the link above. Check with the local fire department or government agency that oversees your planned location BEFORE leaving for your trip.

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July

Spark Celebration, Not Wildfire!

Enjoy your Independence Day celebration and the warm July weather by hardening your home to embers and flames.

A large part of our wildfire preparedness campaign is aimed at homeowners, especially in the wildland-urban interface, helping them prepare for wildfire. July is wildfire season in New Mexico, and although you may not be lighting off fireworks, your neighbors may have different plans. Enjoy your Independence Day celebration and rest easy by hardening your home to embers and flames.

• Don’t lose your house to a spark gone astray. Clean your gutters and roof to prepare your home for wildfire season and the Fourth of July.

• Reduce the risk of ember ignition to your house by preparing the 5’ zone around your structure.

• Create defensible space in the 30’ zone around your house so that you have a fighting chance to save it in the event of a wildfire.

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June

Don’t Get Burned. Be Prepared!

As we head into the heat of wildfire season and peak outdoor recreation season, take precautions to prevent wildfires and be sure to consider evacuation routes from your home.

June is the unofficial start of outdoor recreation season and in the Southwest fire season is in full swing. With many areas across the state restricting campfires, this month is a great time to learn about fire restrictions and campfire safety.

• To check fire restrictions to see whether campfires are allowed where you plan to recreate, click here.

• To learn and share basic campfire safety information, download this poster created by the Forest Stewards Guild.

Planning for evacuation through Ready, Set, Go! us another important way that we can reduce the risk of wildfire.

• For New Mexico specific information about evacuation planning through Ready, Set, Go!, click here.

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May

Don’t Call Mayday, Be Prepared!

Work together with your family, friends, and neighbors to reduce wildfire risk.

National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 1, 2021, is a single day for organizations and individuals to work together to raise awareness about wildfire risks and promote preparedness.

• For a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day toolkit, click here.

• For an excellent list of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day ideas from the national FAC network, click here.

• For covid-safe ways to engage with your community for Wildfire Preparedness day, click here.

This May, continue working on the Home Ignition Zone by focusing on the extended zone around your property, the perimeter at least 30-100 feet out from your dwelling.

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