Latest news with #NMForestryDivision
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire near Bosque Farms 10% contained
Crews work on the Rio Grande Fire on Thursday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Candice Kutrosky, NM Forestry Division) A wildfire in Valencia County destroyed three structures yesterday evening, according to a New Mexico state Forestry spokesperson. Efforts to contain the wildfire remain ongoing. The Rio Grande Fire was detected around 4 p.m. on Thursday west of Bosque Farms. High winds and dry conditions pushed the fire east across the Rio Grande into the village Bosque Farms, state Forestry spokesperson George Ducker said. The fire, which started on Bureau of Indian Affairs jurisdiction is currently 10% contained, Ducker said. The fire spans roughly 60 acres, or less than a tenth of a square mile, and the structures burned may have been homes, Ducker said, , but a damage assessment is being conducted today. Fuels for the fire include grass, brush and other plants along the bosque. High winds and prolonged drought made fire risk high in the area and across the state Thursday. The fire also caused evacuations but those have since been lifted, Ducker said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Ducker said, though some online wildfire databases say it was 'human caused.' Crews worked through the night to contain the fire and have since established divisions on the north and south sides of it to try to contain it further. Crews will look to increase containment and extinguish hotspots within the bosque today, Ducker said. Winds in the area are expected to decrease, and scattered rain showers are expected tonight. Still, the eastern two-thirds of the state, including Bosque Farms, are under a Red Flag Warning, according to the National Weather Service.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NM health department warns of risk from dust storms
A dust storm temporarily closed I25 at La Bajada Hill. on March 18, 2025. (George Ducker, NM Forestry Division ) Dust storms, such as the one New Mexico experienced on Tuesday, don't just pose visibility risks on the road. The New Mexico Department of Health on Wednesday issued an advisory on the potential health risks dust storms carry, aimed particularly for residents living in Doña Ana and Luna counties. Those counties, a news release noted, typically average 10 days annually when dust storms cause exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for airborne particulate matter of 10 microns or less in size. 'Dust storms may be common in our region, and the health risks they pose are significant,' DOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said in a statement. 'The microscopic particles can trigger respiratory issues, particularly for vulnerable people. We urge residents to limit outdoor exposure during dust events and take appropriate precautions to protect their health.' Inhaling dust isn't good for anyone. 'Coarse dust particles can irritate the lungs, which may trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions, especially for those with underlying respiratory issues. Some groups run particularly high risk, including: • infants, children, and teens. • elderly. • people with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, COPD and emphysema. • people with existing heart or lung disease. • pregnant women Avoiding outdoor activity during dust storms or, if unavoidable, wearing protective covering is advised. More information on the risks of dust storms can be found here.
