State to impose fire restrictions
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4/8/2008 - 4/9/08
Rural residents of 23 New Mexico counties who want to build open campfires in their backyards and roast marshmallows, should do so before Friday. After that, State Forester Arthur "Butch" Blazer will prohibit open campfires, fireworks and open burning in unincorporated areas.Gas and charcoal grills are permitted in residential yards under the restrictions, announced Wednesday because of the threat of wildland fires.
The restrictions apply to all nonmunicipal, nonfederal and nontribal lands in areas east of Interstate 25 in Santa Fe, Colfax, Mora, San Miguel, Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, Sierra, Socorro and Doña Ana counties.
The ban also affects all such areas in Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lea, Lincoln, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, Torrance and Union counties.
The acreage burned by wildfires so far this year hasn't yet caught up to 2006, one of the biggest fire years in the last decade, but it isn't far behind.
From Jan. 1 through Monday, 134,587 acres of private, federal, state and county lands were scorched in more than 301 fires. Almost all of the fires were caused by people burning weeds, backfiring vehicles or campfires.
In 2006, for the same time period, 208,443 acres burned in 343 fires.
Both years shared some similar factors, according to Dan Ware, public information officer for the New Mexico State Forestry Division: lots of flammable materials such as grass, plus dry conditions.
While the northern part of the state enjoyed more snow than in 2006, the eastern and southern portions had some dry spots. Wildfires have been popping up with regularity since January. "The biggest fires have been all along the entire eastern side of New Mexico, but the fire (incidents) are rapidly spreading to include the entire Rio Grande Valley," Ware said.
The first 2008 wildfire actually started the previous November. The Ojo Peak Fire in the Cibola National Forest began Nov. 23, forced temporary evacuations of several small towns and wasn't fully contained until Jan. 2, according to the National Fire Information Center. The fire burned less than 7,000 acres, but because of tough terrain and the number of wildfires required to fight it, it cost more than $940,000 to control.
The Stiles Complex near Hobbs has been the state's largest fire to date, burning 67,000 acres and several homes. But the largely grassland fire cost a mere $72,000 to battle.
Contact Staci Matlock at 470-9843 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS
Fire officials urge homeowners and private property owners to protect land and structures in the following ways:
• Create a 30-foot "defensible space" around homes and other structures by clearing out weeds, trimming branches and cutting trees close to structures.
• Pile firewood and other flammable materials well away from structures.
• Keep access roads free of debris and vegetation to improve access and escape in case of fire.
• Remove needles and other debris from roofs and gutters.
Officials urge campers and outdoor recreationists to do the following to prevent forest fires:
• Call the toll-free fire restriction hot line at 877-864-6985 to find out what areas are open or closed.
• Only build campfires in approved areas with fire grills or pits.
• Never leave a campfire unattended; be sure it is out and cold to the touch before leaving.
Those living in rural areas or on single-access, fire-prone areas, should make extra preparations for fire season, fire officials say. Pack a bag with extra clothes, flashlights, nonperishable food, water and medications, enough for 72 hours. Keep the bag in an easily accessible place or in a vehicle in case a fire prompts an evacuation or prevents you from reaching your home. Extra food and water should be kept on hand for pets or large animals, along with a plan for evacuating them.
Outline an emergency plan with your family in case a fire or other disaster separates you. Children should have emergency contact numbers and know where to go if they are separated from parents.
For information on the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Health Plan, forest fire prevention and how to create defensible space, go to www.nmforestry.com.
To track wildfires through the season, see www.nmfireinfo.com.
For a complete list of emergency supplies for all types of disaster situations, from fire to avian flu, visit www.ready.com.
ACRES BURNED IN NEW MEXICO
2008: 134,587 plus acres (Jan. 1-April 7)
2007: 20,000 acres (total, not yet final)
2006: 491,054 acres (total)
2005: 67,036 acres (total)
2004: 83,238 acres (total)
Sources: National Fire Information Center and New Mexico Forestry Division