Archive for Fire Info
News Release – Fire Season Equipment Vendor Meetings
by Sis Peterson, Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
Albuquerque, NM – January 13, 2012. The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region is hosting a meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents. The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 26, from 1:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Forest Service offices throughout New Mexico.
The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including:
- How to become a government vendor
- How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system
- How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment
The Southwestern Region will be seeking competitive solicitation for the following items for FY2012:
PSA: Junge Prescribed Burn Planned for Early November
by Adrian Padilla, U.S. Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – October 26, 2011: Mountainair Ranger District Fire Officials are planning on continuing there Prescribed burn program. Fire Officials have been monitoring weather conditions and fuel moisture conditions. With the current moisture levels they plan to complete the Jungle Prescribed Burn in the Manzano Mountains within the next few weeks, possibly as early as next week.
The burn will be on National Forest lands located East of Forest Road #422, North of Forest Road #275 and west of the Forest Road #522. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to accomplish burning approximately 186 acres sometime during the next week to two weeks. The purpose of the burn is to improve watershed and wildlife biodiversity as well as to reduce current fuel loadings and lessen the threat of wildfire to private property. The burn will be conducted only if fire personnel are available and weather patterns are conducive to burning.
If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.
Santa Fe County Press Release: Santa Fe County Burn Restrictions Lifted
Santa Fe County – August 17, 2011 – Due to recent rains and an increase in precipitation the fire danger level for Santa Fe County has dropped and Open Burn Restrictions established with Ordinance 2011-5 have been lifted.
Burn permits obtained from Santa Fe County Fire Department prior to the implementation of the Open Burn Restrictions are void and a new permit must be obtained. Permits can be obtained from your local fire district or from the Santa Fe County Fire Prevention Division.
“Despite the recent rains, precipitation levels are still below normal for this time of year. We ask that residents use caution when burning and follow the terms and conditions of the Open Burn Permit to avoid a wildland fire or a fire on their property,” said Interim Chief David Sperling.
If residents have built up a large pile of vegetation during restrictions, they will need to break that down into smaller controllable piles prior to burning. Residents are reminded the burning of trash is illegal in Santa Fe County and can be reported by calling (505) 428-3730.
For more information on Open Burning in Santa Fe County, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at (505) 995-6523 or visit www.santafecountyfire.org.
Fire Restrictions Lifted In Three Districts
by John Weckerle
We have received word from Arlene Perea at the Mountainair Ranger District that fire restrictions have been lifted in the Mountainair, Sandia, and Magdalena Ranger Districts. No fire restrictions are in effect in the Mount Taylor Ranger District, and Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect in the Black Kettle & McClellan National Grasslands and Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. While fire restrictions have been lifted, we urge forest-goers to use caution during their activities, and keep the cigarettes (and butts) out of the forest environment. As the announcement advises, keep an eye on your surroundings and be prepared for fast-arriving thunderstorms. For more information, see the full text of the announcement.
Celebrate Without Fireworks
Editor’s note: The Town of Edgewood, Santa Fe County, and the City of Santa Fe have all either enacted or extended bans on fireworks. Many public areas have been closed due to extreme fire. Folks, we are living through what is probably the worst drought in living memory. Let’s celebrate our patriotism by not endangering the lives and property of our fellow Americans, and save those fireworks to celebrate some really good rain when it comes. A tip of the hat to Chuck Ring at Gadabout-Blogalot.com for posting information on several of the bans (here and here).
by Martin Heinrich
Dear Friend,
This 4th of July, as we gather with friends and family in celebration of our nation, please make safety a priority. Specifically, I’d like to caution you against using fireworks of any kind this year.
With wildfires burning throughout our state, it is more important than ever for each of us to do our part in protecting our treasured natural resources and communities from more unintended fires. I commend the hundreds of brave men and women who are on the ground fighting the New Mexico wildfires. Please join me in spreading the word on how to stay safe this weekend, and throughout the fire season.
Here are a few wildfire safety tips:
- Do not use fireworks of any kind.
- Use caution and common sense before lighting any fire.
- Understand that any fire you create could become a wildfire.
- Never, ever leave any fire unattended.
- Properly extinguish and discard smoking materials.
- Be aware of your surroundings and careful when operating equipment during periods of dry or hot weather.
- Speak up and step in when you see someone in danger of starting a wildfire.
Common ways you could unintentionally start a wildfire:
- Unattended debris burning
- Equipment fires such as from lawnmowers, ATVs, power equipment
- Smoking
- Unattended campfires
- Children playing with matches or lighters
- Fireworks
I wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and fun holiday. It is an honor to represent you in Congress. My staff and I are here to serve you, and I urge you to contact me anytime.
Be well and keep in touch —
MARTIN HEINRICH
Member of Congress
Torrance County Extends Fireworks Ban
by John Weckerle
At its most recent meeting, the Torrance County Commission enacted a thirty day extension of the of ban on fireworks and open burning originally passed on May 24. Open burning, ceremonial burning, recreational burning, and the use of fireworks (other than those that are part of a public display approved by local fire departments) are subject to restrictions. For more information, see the resolution, the associated ordinance, and the State fire restrictions for eastern, southwest, and south central New Mexico. Readers who observe people using fireworks and decide not to shoot the miscreants* (505) 384-2705 or (505) 384-2706.
*Editor’s note: We’re kidding; please don’t shoot anybody.
New Mexico Fire Information Roundup
by John Weckerle
With no promise of significant moisture in the near future, more than a quarter of a million acres of New Mexico have burned in just the currently active fires scattered throughout the state, not counting the portion of New Mexico burned in the Wallow Fire, Arizona’s largest fire to date.
Ranging from the relatively small (at 720 acres) Osha fire near Penasco to the almost 89,000-acre Miller fire north of Silver City, firefighters are battling nine major fires in the Land of Enchantment. Containment ranges from 98% for the Osha Fire to an alarming 3% for the Las Conchas fire near Las Cruces. Two fires (Donaldson and Crooked Creek Complex) were caused by lightning, two (Miller and Track) are known to be human-caused, and the causes of five others are under investigation. Some of the fires have been burning for more than two months.
For more information, see our summary of information collected from the Inciweb site.
Bernalillo County News Release: Refrain Use of Fireworks
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
“Any Spark Can Start a Fire”
Bernalillo County Fire Department wants to get the word out
Bernalillo County – Bernalillo County can only ban and restrict certain fireworks, it can’t ban the sale of fireworks. But for public safety reasons, we are seeking voluntary compliance from residents to refrain from using fireworks this year.
“With the extreme dry conditions around Bernalillo County and the fires that are already burning in our state, we need to pull together as a community to ensure the safety of our community,” says County Fire Chief, John Garcia.
For information on the fireworks ban and restrictions in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County, visit www.bernco.gov.
Let’s Learn From Other People’s Stupid Mistakes
by John Weckerle
We would like to draw our readers’ attention to the most recent KOB TV story on the Track Fire near Raton, New Mexico. We find the following quotes especially relevant:
Investigators have figured out what caused the 27,000 acre track fire near Raton that destroyed multiple homes and caused 500 people to evacuate.
New Mexico State Forestry says exhaust particles from an ATV in the area is what most likely caused the dry brush to catch fire.
According to findings from investigators, the ATV driver or drivers trespassed onto private property then headed onto land owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway…
Investigators say whoever is responsible could face multiple charges including criminal trespassing and improper handling of fire.
“The person or persons who started this fire—whether it was intentional or not could be held liable for the cost of suppression which is now in the millions of dollars,” said New Mexico State Forestry Service spokesman Dan Ware.
One important thing to note is this: Whoever started this fire may not even have known they started it. They could have been long gone before the first wisp of smoke was even visible.
We bring this up because we’ve noted that there’s been some off-road ATV activity in the vicinity of NM-Central headquarters. We’d like to ask that everyone reading this who owns an ATV please keep your vehicles on the road or in other approved places until New Mexico gets enough moisture to bring the fire danger back down to a level where use of ATVs is safe, and pass the word to your friends who own ATVs. Everyone thinks they’ll never be the one to start a fire like this, but anyone can be. Understand that the fact that it’s an accident doesn’t mean that it isn’t your fault, or that you’re not liable for suppression costs and damages.
We understand that it’s no fun to have to keep the ATV in the garage during a New Mexico summer, but please remember: droughts affect everybody, and we all have to watch out for each other. These are dangerous times, and it’s critical that we all do what we can to help avoid disaster. The rains will come eventually, and it’ll be safe to ride again (in places where it’s legal, of course, and please don’t trespass). Let’s all do our part to make sure that those great places to ride remain great places to ride and don’t become a burnt-out mess.
Press Release: Bernalillo County Commission Approves Fireworks Restrictions
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Tuesday, June 14, Bernalillo County – At tonight’s commission meeting, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners approved a ban on some fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county.
“The severe drought conditions and the potential risk to life, property and the environment prompted the ban,” says Bernalillo County Fire Chief John Garcia. “The ban is effective immediately and will remain in force through July 14, 2011.”
The ban includes the sale and use of missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices within the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County.
The restrictions ban the use of all fireworks in wildland areas which include unincorporated areas east of Louisiana Boulevard to the west face of the Sandia Mountains and from San Antonio north to the Sandia Indian Reservation; all the East Mountain area, north, south and east to the county line and portions of the unincorporated areas to include the Rio Grande bosque and wildland areas extending 1000 feet from the outer edge of the bosque.
Also banned are the sale or use of display fireworks. The ban applies to the use of fireworks that shoot higher than 10 feet in the air, have a 6 foot or larger coverage area and fireworks that are louder than a cap gun.
The use of ground and hand-held sparkling and smoke device type fireworks are limited to areas that are paved or barren. There should also be a readily accessible source of water (a bucket of water or a hose) for use to extinguish the fireworks.
If an individual is caught with prohibited fireworks, a citation could be issued and the individual may have to appear in court. Violators could be fined up to $1000 and sentenced to less than one year in jail. If it is determined that the use of fireworks was the cause of a fire that damaged property, the responsible individual may be held liable for those damages.
Press Release: Lightning Sparks Fires on the Southern Half of the Manzano Mountains
by Arlene Perea, USDA Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM, June 6, 2011: Mountainair Fire Crews along with a 20 person hand crew from Northern California are currently working to suppress the Red Spring Fire which was reported by Capilla Peak Lookout at approximately 1pm this afternoon. Air resources have made one drop of fire retardant on the fire at this time. The fire is approximately 3 acres at this time and exhibiting some active fire behavior; however, crews were able to reach the scene promptly and are making good progress with the support of a Single Engine Air Tanker.
Crews also responded last night to another fire south of the Thunderbird private property. The fire was approximately 1/4 acre and crews were able to contain this fire by 9am this morning.
Press Release: Full Closure On Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – May 16, 2011, The Mountainair Ranger District hits Extreme Fire Danger Levels. Fire officials have been monitoring and evaluating the current fuel moistures in anticipation for full forest closure starting this week. The criteria used for evaluating the closure includes safety and concerns for our communities, forest users, employees, firefighters and protection of our natural resources. Extremely low fuel moistures, winds, temperatures, low humidities and drying winds are factors evaluated to support full forest closure. These factors can result in high fire danger and rapid fire growth. Additional fire resources (engines, firefighters etc.) have arrived at the Mountainair RD to support and enforce closures. Due to the increase of Fire Danger, the District will go into full closure beginning, Wednesday May 18th at 8:00am.
Signs will be placed along highways and flyers will be posted throughout the communities to remind the public that the Manzano & Gallinas Mountains are closed. The use of all campgrounds, day use picnic areas, and trails on the District will be prohibited. All National Forest System Roads on the District will be closed; State and county roads through the District will remain open. If traveling State and county roads within the boundaries of the Mountainair District, do not stop along the roads.
The Manzano and Gallinas Mountains will remain closed to the public until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the extremely dry conditions and reduce the risk of wildfire. To report a fire, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-505-346-2660 or Dial 911.
For further information on the closure and the extreme fire danger, contact Adrian Padilla or Arlene Perea at 505-847-2990 or email adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or atperea@fs.fed.us.
Priest Canyon Fire – Original Release And Update
by Arlene Perea, U.S. Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
MOUNTAINAIR, NM., April 30, 2011- Update #2– Mountainair fire crews as well as NM State Work Camp and Southern Pueblo Agency crews worked hard on lining the Priest Canyon fire today. Weather was a big factor in establishing a fireline around the fire as winds were lighter than originally forecast. The 2.5 acre Priest Canyon Fire is now 80% contained. Crews will continue work until sundown in this steep, rocky area, then resume mop-up in the morning.
For further information please contact the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
MOUNTAINAIR, NM., April 30, 2011– Mountainair Ranger District Employees are currently suppressing a fire on and around the Pine Shadows Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness on the southern end of the Manzano Mountains. The Priest Canyon fire was reported late last night by Torrance County Dispatch. Torreon Volunteer Fire Department monitored the fire overnight while crews mobilized for the early morning hike. The fire is currently approximately 2 acres with creeping and occasional single tree torching fire behavior observed.
There are currently 2 engine modules (8 firefighters) on scene from the Mountainair Ranger District with 1 Type 2 hand crew, 1 NM State Forestry Inmate Work Camp Crew and 1 Type 1 Incident Hot Shot crew on order or in route. Air resources are currently on stand-by to respond if needed. The cause of this fire is undetermined at this time but will be investigated.
For further information please contact the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
Fire Restrictions – This Means You, Most Likely
by John Weckerle
We have received word from Arlene Perea at the Mountainair Ranger District that the State Forester has imposed fire restrictions on non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands in most New Mexico counties, including those in the New Mexico Central area. Smoking is prohibited outdoors in most cases, and fireworks (except where approved by local fire departments as part of a public exhibit) are prohibited in all wildland areas. Campfires, for the most part, are also prohibited. Open burning, with some exceptions, is also prohibited, as is flaring of gas, again with some exceptions. For a complete list of restrictions and exceptions, see the State Forestry Announcement.
Please be careful out there; it’s dry, it’s windy, and there are areas that have some pretty serious fuel loads. For more information on fire protection, see the New Mexico State Forestry Division web site, especially the Fire Management section. Also have a look at the East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association web site, which has locally-oriented information and links to a variety of useful publications on fire preparedness and prevention.
Fire Restrictions begin for Cibola National Forest
by Arlene Perea, U.S. Forest Service
ALBUQUERQUE, NM., April 8, 2011 – Beginning April 11, 2011 at 8:00 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be placed on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest. The restrictions will cover the following Ranger Districts: Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia (three mountain districts). These restrictions will remain in force until rescinded.
Conditions this year are similar to the 2008 fire season with no end in sight to the dry conditions, above normal temperatures and winds. Weather predictions are indicating limited precipitation and above normal temperatures for the coming months, which could bring about an early fire season. Forest officials will continue to monitor the conditions on the ground daily.
STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The following acts are prohibited on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest until further notice:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in U.S. Forest Service developed campsites and picnic grounds where grills and stoves are provided.
2. 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 materials.
3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
The following persons are exempt from this order on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest:
1. Persons with a permit that authorizes actions specifically prohibited by this order.
2. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Owners or lessees of land within the restricted areas are exempt from prohibition 1 stated above, provided such fires are within their residence.
Visitors to the Cibola National Forest should always be aware of weather conditions and be careful with the use of fire outdoors. If visitors have questions or concerns please feel free to contact the U.S. Forest Service offices. You may also visit our website at http://fs.usda.gov/cibola or follow us on TWITTER @ Cibola_NF.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
District City Phone
Magdalena Ranger District Magdalena, NM 575-854-2281
Mountainair Ranger District Mountainair, NM 505-847-2990
Sandia Ranger District Tijeras, NM 505-281-3304