While recent reports have suggested this spring and early summer could be an active wildland fire season because of the ongoing drought, others said grass fires, especially in the eastern part of New Mexico, could be less of an occurrence because of reduced grass growth because of reduced moisture for almost two years. But fire officials are taking no chances.
More than 30 state, local, tribal and federal entities met last week to prepare for the upcoming wildland fire season.
The meeting, co-hosted by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and New Mexico State Forestry, brought together firefighters, emergency managers, law enforcement, National Guard, the National Weather Service, private entities and state agencies to discuss strategies, plans and best practices.
"Wild fires can affect a lot more than just wildland," said acting DHSEM Secretary Greg Myers. "Whether it is large evacuations, sheltering, ensuring public health, addressing transportation concerns, the environment, livestock, or the agriculture industry, our goal is to be prepared. The people here today span a wide range of disciplines. After an active fire season last year, this is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and start sharing ideas and information to better prepare and protect New Mexicans for the fire season."
A 2012 Fire Season Assessment presented earlier this month in Ruidoso
suggested the fire season was setting up to be worse for this spring and early summer than this time last year.
New Mexico experienced one of the most active wildland fire seasons on record in fiscal year 2011. Eight-hundred and sixty-one fires burned 596,856 acres of state and private land, costing the state approximately $22 million.
Locally, the White Fire, which began on April 3, burned 10,384 acres, largely on the Lincoln National Forest east of Ruidoso. Five home and a business were damaged or destroyed by the fast moving fire.
The Swallow Fire on Ruidoso's southeast side was kept small, at 10 acres. But nine homes in the Pinecliff Subdivision burned to the ground during the June 16 blaze.
In the Ruidoso and Hondo valleys, the Donaldson Complex Fire was one of New Mexico's largest conflagrations during 2011. It burned 101,563 acres, including one residence and five other structures over the course of a week in late June and early July.
"Based on early indications, we believe there is potential for 2012 to be yet another very busy fire season across much of the state," said New Mexico State Forester Tony Delfin. "We believe we are prepared and deeply appreciate the efforts of our local, state, federal and tribal partners to protect our communities and vital natural resources."
New Mexico State Forestry and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urge all state residents and visitors to do their part in preventing and preparing for wildfires. Should evacuations because of wildfire become necessary, remember the "Five Ps" you need to have ready to go: People, important Papers, Prescriptions, family Pictures and Pets.
For information regarding active wildland fires in New Mexico or information on wildfire preparedness and prevention, log onto www.nmfireinfo.com or www.inciweb.org. For Wildfire survival information go to www.nmdhsem.org click on the Preparedness icon and go to Preparedness Guide.
Copyright 2012 - Ruidoso News, N.M.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
