If weather predictions hold true, and the drying trend caused by La Niña continues, New Mexico could be in for another big fire season.

"We're hoping for the best but preparing for the worst," said Dan Ware, spokesman for New Mexico State Forestry, which manages fires on state and private land.

More than 400 wildland firefighters trained the first week of February in Ruidoso. About the same number trained in January, and another training will be held in March in Cloudcroft.

In fact, state forestry officials already are dealing with the ever-present threat of fires.

A 1,300-acre grass fire burned near Silver City two weeks ago, and the Bernardo Fire near the state Bernardo Wildlife Area and the Rio Grande south of Belen had scorched 40 acres of brush and grass by Thursday. Lack of wind and mild temperatures helped firefighters control the Bernardo blaze.

Santa Fe National Forest hasn't had a fire yet, but crews are using the current combination of moist soils and mild temperatures to burn old piles of branches and brush in the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed, according to Bruce Hill, public affairs officer. Crews hope to burn piles on a total of 200 acres over the coming weeks as conditions allow.

Last year, the first fires in the Santa Fe National Forest both occurred on March 17, both human-caused.

Ware said now is a good time for residents to assess their property and homes for fire risks. Fire managers recommend homeowners trim trees back 10 feet from structure walls, move wood piles and other flammable materials away from houses and prepare an emergency evacuation kit.

Whole neighborhoods and communities need to get involved with making their areas less vulnerable to wildfire, managers said.

They also need to be aware of all the ways humans start fires. "We saw some unique fire starts last year," Ware said of New Mexico's historic 2011 fire season. "Brake materials, engine exhaust particles, charcoal grills, a blown tire -- these are things a lot of times people have control over."

State Forestry has posted an updated 2011 report online of 600 New Mexico communities at risk of wildfire. Of those, 281 are listed as high risk, including Hyde Park, Apache Ridge and Glorieta Mesa.

The report is available at www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD/FireMgt/documents/2011_CAR_Plan.pdf.

Fire investigators believe the Bernardo Fire may have been caused by an individual or individuals removing metal from jetty jacks along the bosque. State Forestry is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Agent Shawn Beck, New Mexico State Forestry, at 827-0503.

Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.



PLANNING AHEAD

Prepare an emergency box to take in case you need to evacuate your home due to fire. Store it in an easy-to-access location. Make sure other family members know where to meet in case you are separated. Have some nonperishable food and extra clothes in the box. In addition, the Santa Fe Fire Department suggests you'll want to have five "P's" when you leave:

1. PILLS, eyeglasses and other medical supplies.

2. PAPERS, like copies of birth certificates and tax records.

3. PICTURES, small artwork, jewelry and other important mementos.

4. PETS, pet food, leashes and pet carriers.

5. PHONE, charger and phone numbers of people you will want to call.