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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Guard deployment causes worry over New Mexico wildfire funds
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico has made national headlines for deploying the National Guard to help fight crime in Albuquerque. The controversial deployment has activists speaking out against the operation. Some worry that it will take critical dollars away from future emergencies, like wildfire management. 'It was very, very dry this winter, as everyone knows. The governor just last week issued an executive order on drought,' says New Mexico State Forrester Laura McCarthy. Forrester McCarthy warns that New Mexico is in the most dangerous part of the fire season. 'So fire spread is typically more extreme when you have daytime highs in the 95s and above. We're headed toward that,' McCarthy says. New Mexico governor authorizes $2.25M for National Guard operation in Albuquerque Even with the risk for massive fires being higher than ever, McCarthy isn't concerned that $2.25 million to pay for operation Zia Shield will have an impact on emergency response, which is something people against the deployment have raised concerns about. 'I have never seen us run out of money. So I don't see that there is competition between the use of the National Guard,' continued McCarthy. The state has an emergency contingency fund and a backup operational reserve fund to draw from when an emergency strikes. 'Historically, there hasn't been a year in an emergency. We've lived through COVID, Hermits Peak, Calf Canyon, you know, Ruidoso, followed by the Roswell flood, followed by snowstorms. And we haven't exhausted those funds,' said Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar. Albuquerque police outline National Guard's role in east Central operation Maj. Gen. Aguilar says in previous wildfire emergencies like Ruidoso, which required between 100-200 million to control, they had the necessary funding to tackle it. 'We'll continue to have conversations with, you know, from the executive side of the legislature and the legislative finance committee to ensure that New Mexico is postured as best we can, you know, to fill in whatever gaps we need,' continued Aguilar. Operation Zia Shield will deploy 77 guardsmen in the coming days. The operation is expected to last for at least six months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Doña Ana County issues open-burning restrictions
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Doña Ana County fire marshal has ordered what it being calling a 'full restriction' on open-burning activities beginning Tuesday, May 27, due to ongoing drought and climate conditions, the County said. The ban will remain in place until conditions improve. The restriction applies throughout Doña Ana County, except in incorporated municipalities or on federal and state lands where separate fire codes and ordinances may be enforced, the County said. Starting Tuesday, no open burning will be allowed within the jurisdiction of Doña Ana County Fire Rescue. No burn permits will be issued or honored for open burning of vegetation until further notice, the County said. This restriction does not apply to the 'careful and monitored use of recreational items such as barbecue grills or small bonfires on private property, as long as the fire remains contained and attended at all times,' the County. Violators may face fines of $100 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. Doña Ana County is 'experiencing extreme drought,' with the southern region classified as being the most severe, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report published May 22, the County said. In response, New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy announced fire restrictions across nearly 20 counties, including Doña Ana, earlier this week. The state order prohibits smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and open fires on all non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands. Additionally, the National Weather Service recently issued multiple red flag and dust storm warnings, citing wind conditions that increase the risk of rapidly spreading wildfires, the County said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New round of NM burn bans imposed amid drought, wildfire risk
A Mora County Sheriff's Deputy vehicle sits near the Mogote Hill Fire south of Wagon Mound in mid-March. A new round of fire restrictions imposed Monday in some areas of the state aims to prevent wildfires this summer. (Photo Courtesy Mora County Sheriff's Office) Six New Mexico counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation imposed new fire restrictions Monday, citing high wildfire risk in various parts of the state. In total, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division, 23 towns, counties, tribal or other jurisdictions across the state have imposed some level of fire restriction due to high fire risk. The division has a map here showing much of the state under some type of burn ban, including federal and state forests. 'In the face of significant wildfire potential, we need every New Mexican to take active steps to reduce the likelihood of an accidental wildfire start,' State Forester Laura McCarthy said in a statement. 'These restrictions are needed because of current wildfire threats and the rising probability of dangerous wildfires as temperatures warm through May and June.' Forecasters predicted earlier this month that southeastern New Mexico, including the Gila National Forest, would experience above-normal wildfire risk in May that would grow to cover the eastern two thirds of New Mexico by June. A national drought update issued Tuesday said a warm, dry spring had led to intensification of drought conditions in the Intermountain West region, with the worst conditions in New Mexico and Arizona. So far this year, 377 wildfires in New Mexico have burned more than 33,500 acres, though the vast majority of those fires burned less than an acre. The biggest wildfire this year, so far, the Mogote Hill Fire, burned a little more than 21,000 acres near Wagon Mound in mid-March. Of the 377 fires, 275 were human-caused, 26 were naturally caused and causes of the remaining 76 are still being determined, according to the Southwest Coordination Center. The fire restrictions are in place as most of the state experiences some form of drought. According to the Office of the State Engineer, all but 3.8% of New Mexico is in drought, with 41% in extreme drought and 7.5% in exceptional drought. Stage I fire restrictions generally prohibit building a fire in an area other than a developed campsite or picnic area, along with smoking outside of a vehicle or building. State II restrictions also prohibit discharging a firearm, operating an internal combustion engine, welding or using explosives. Nowhere in New Mexico is currently under the most severe fire restriction, in which entire areas are closed to the public to prevent wildfires. Read more about the county- or town-level fire restrictions on the New Mexico Forestry website.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New Mexico enacting fire restrictions to combat dry conditions
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico is enacting fire restrictions in close to 20 counties to combat dry conditions in the southern part of the state, the New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources said in a news release. Fire restrictions are being enacted in the following counties: Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia. They will remain in effect until rescinded, the news release said. 'The restrictions come as a response to the increasingly dry and warm conditions in southern New Mexico — conditions heightened by low humidity, high winds and the abundance of dry fine fuels across our forests and grasslands,' the news release said. The following restrictions apply to non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands in the counties listed above. Prohibited • Smoking • Fireworks use • Campfires • Prescribed burning or open burning • Flaring of gas related to oil and gas production Exceptions • Exceptions are allowed for many of the prohibited actions in specific cases, or when specific conditions are met. • The state forester may allow additional exceptions upon receiving a written request. 'In the face of significant wildfire potential, we need every New Mexican to take active steps to reduce the likelihood of an accidental wildfire start,' State Forester Laura McCarthy said. 'These restrictions are needed because of current wildfire threats and the rising probability of dangerous wildfires as temperatures warm through May and June.' The National Weather Service's long-range prediction for New Mexico expects the annual monsoon season to arrive on time, starting in July. If this proves true and the monsoonal rains are productive, the state could see these restrictions lifted, the news release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NM Forestry Division offers wildfire prevention tips ahead of ‘what could be a very bad fire season'
(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. Trump Administration eyeing possible military presence at New Mexico's southern border '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 or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
