NM Forestry Division offers wildfire prevention tips ahead of ‘what could be a very bad fire season'

Yahoo

21-03-2025

(KRQE) — The state has already seen twice the fires this month compared to this time last year, according to New Mexico Forester Laura McCarthy. In response, the forestry division is launching a campaign encouraging residents to play their part in preventing wildfires.
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'Spark Safety not Wildfires' runs through the week of March 24 alongside 'Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week.' One big goal is to remind the public that individuals cause four out of every five wildfires in New Mexico, and there are concrete steps for lowering potential catastrophic wildfires, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.
'The dry conditions and lack of snowpack over the winter point towards what could be a very bad fire season this year,' said McCarthy. 'We've already seen twice the amount of fire starts this year over this month last year. We all need to be extra cautious on days when it's hot, windy and dry. A small mistake can have huge consequences.'
The New Mexico Forestry Division identified three general ways people may cause wildfires, along with ways to prevent those fires:
Prevention methods include:
Contact your local fire authority before burning.
Create fuel breaks around burn areas.
Have a water source, hose, and shovel readily available.
Never burn during high winds or hot, dry afternoons.
Monitor constantly during burning.
Make sure fires are completely out – cold to the touch.
Prevention methods include:
Check fire restrictions before heading out.
Pack extra water, shovel, and fire extinguisher.
Clear debris down to mineral soil for campfires.
Never leave fires unattended.
Properly extinguish campfires – drown, stir, feel for heat, repeat until cold.
Consider alternatives like maintained camp stoves or propane fire rings.
(such as hot engines, dragging chains, and 'hot work' activities like welding and grinding)
Prevention methods include:
Work early mornings when temperatures are cooler.
Check for red flag warnings before outdoor work.
Maintain spark arrestors on equipment.
Clear work areas of debris.
Secure tow chains when traveling.
Never park your car over dry grass.
Check for dragging vehicle parts.
This year's Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week is a collaboration with the New Mexico Forestry Division, the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
'Living in New Mexico, or anywhere in the southwest, means learning to live with fire,' said New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine. 'Individual and community awareness of this fact helps decrease all our risk from future wildfires.'
You can find more resources on preventing wildfires online at www.emnrd.nm.gov, www.nfpa.org, or facnm.org.
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