New Wildfire Email Alert System

New wildfire alert system touted

(Click Here) New email notification system announced  (Click Here)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Wildfire season is already here, and this year is expected to be a bad one. 

State Forestry officials unveiled an added layer of security for residents who live in the fire zones.New Mexico is rolling out a new wildfire email notification system.

"Prompt and accurate information can save lives," said New Mexico State Forester Tony Delfin.

That information will now come in the form of an email that will give critical information to displaced families and the rest of the public fast.  "There are going to be frequent updates with information about the status of the fire, is it growing, are there homes or businesses in harm's way," said Gov. Susana Martinez.

Governor Martinez says they saw the need when talking to worried evacuees from the Las Conchas fire last year.  "They wanted information and they wanted it constantly," said Governor Martinez.  Officials say that means the evacuees will have vital information, right at their fingertips, be it on their phones, their computers or anything else that gets email. 

In the last two years combined, New Mexico has seen 1,440 wildfires that have burnt more than a million acres. New Mexico is bracing for a busy fire season given the drought conditions that are spreading across the region.

Jungle Prescribed Burn, Manzano Mountains in November

NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Southwestern Region
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
Mountainair Ranger District
PO BOX 69
Mountainair, NM 87036
505-847-2990
http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

Contacts: Adrian Padilla - adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jungle Prescribe Burn
Planned for Early-November

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.

-end-

Fire At Punta de Agua

Just got a text that there is a fire at Punta de Agua on Federal lands in between where the last two fires burned.  Keep our firefighers in your prayers as well as the families that will be affected by this fire.

Volunteer Fire Fighters Needed

Our volunteer fire departments need help.  Given the current drought situation, if there are multiple fires such as we are experiencing today (one at Manzano, two at Stanley and one at Cornoa) there simply isn't enough man power to cover everyone's property.

State wide fire resources are stretched thin as well.  If you have the time, inclination, and are willing to volunteer to serve your community as well as yourself, please consider joining our volunteer fired departments - the property that needs saving from fire could be your own.

I will gather a list of our volunteer fire departments and post again later.

Fire At Manzano

A grass fire is burning in Manzano.  According to Manzano store, the fire started right across the highway from them, has burned one structure that is believed to be uninhabited at this time and has burned around the Manzano Catholic Church - the church did not burn. 

Crews are waiting for an air tanker drop as of the time of this post. 

State Wide Fire Restrictions

April 15, 2011


Contact: Dan Ware, Public Relations Coordinator
505-476-3336/daniel.ware@state.nm.us

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary and the State Forester Announce Fire Restrictions for Many NM Counties

Santa Fe – New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary-Designate John Bemis and State Forester Tony Delfin today announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfire and open-fires for 29 counties. The restrictions will go into effect at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2011.

The restrictions are being imposed due to prolonged low levels of precipitation, high winds and low humidity across much of New Mexico, which has caused high to extreme fire danger.

“Some areas of New Mexico have not seen appreciable moisture in as many 150 days and as we progress into spring, the risk to communities from wildfire is increasing significantly,” said Bemis. “I’m urging all residents in the areas affected to follow the restriction guidelines to protect lives and property in their communities.”

The restrictions will be imposed on all non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands in Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, Curry, DeBaca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Mora, McKinley, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, Sandoval, Santa Fe, San Miguel, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, Valencia, and Union counties. The State Forester has also placed the following restrictions on non-municipal and non-federal lands in the following county for that portion of the county east of Interstate 25: Colfax. The restrictions in all counties listed will remain in effect until rescinded.

The restrictions include:

· Smoking: Allowed only in enclosed buildings, developed recreation areas, within structures, vehicles equipped with ashtrays on paved or surfaced roads and in areas at least three feet in diameter that are barren or cleared of all flammable material.

· Fireworks: Prohibited in all state and private wildlands outside city or federal jurisdictions. Wildland areas include lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, grass, grain or other flammable vegetation. Exceptions are allowed for fire department approved public exhibits.


· Campfires: Banned in all open areas including New Mexico State Parks unless the following exceptions are met. An exception is granted to the above where cooking or heating devices use kerosene, white gas or propane as a fuel in an improved camping area that is cleared of all flammable vegetation for at least 30 feet or has a water source. (For information, contact park managers or visit www.nmparks.com). The State Forester is also allowing exceptions for charcoal grills and wood and coal stoves within yards associated with a residence or on the premises of a business.

· Open Burning: Open fires are restricted. This includes the burning of cropland, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, prescribed burning or weed burning. There is an exception for open burning on croplands that are irrigated. Persons conducting burns must notify the local fire department, monitor the burn at all times, secure the burn at the end of the day, and follow state air quality rules and local ordinances.

Flaring of gas is prohibited.

The State Forester grants an exception to open burning when the following conditions are met:

· At least one adult is on site with communications equipment adequate to reach county dispatch and the local fire department in the event of a fire. The individual should also be equipped with a shovel and a water backpack pump or other equipment to deliver water to suppress a fire.
· The local fire department and county dispatch are notified at least 24 hours in advance of anticipated releases that will result in flaring. If flaring is done by an automated system then the schedule of flaring shall be provided to the local fire department and county dispatch.
· Unless the flaring is needed for safety purposes, flaring pursuant to this exception shall not be done on days that are “red flag days” as determined by the National Weather Service or on days when the sustained wind is in excess of 25 miles per hour in the area.
Exemptions

The State Forester may allow exemptions from the above upon receiving a written request and granting subsequent approval in writing. You may apply for an exemption on the Forestry Division website at www.nmforestry.com.

An exemption does not relieve a person from any civil or criminal liability associated with an uncontrolled fire, including costs associated with wildland fire suppression.

For specific details and the legal restriction notification, log onto www.nmforestry.com. For more information, please call (505) 476-3325.

#30#

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection
and renewable energy resource development services to the public and other state agencies.

Forestry Division 1220 South St. Francis Drive ▪ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 Phone (505) 476-3325 ▪ Fax (505) 476-3330 ▪ www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD

Mountainair Ranger District Opening Roads This Week

Mountainair, NM, March 22, 2011: The Mountainair Ranger District will be reopening various roads that have been under winter closures. The roads to be opened include FR 275, FR 422, FR 253 and FR 245 up to New Canyon Campground. Roads to remain closed include FR 321 and FR 245 from New Canyon Campground to Capilla Peak. The road leading to Comanche trailhead on the West side of the Manzano Mountains also remains under a private closure until easement issues can be finalized.

Mountainair Ranger District fire personnel would like to remind everyone that conditions throughout the district remain dry. Fire Danger is currently listed as HIGH trending toward VERY HIGH. There are currently no restrictions in place but everyone is reminded to take extra precautions and follow some basic fire safety rules:

• Make sure that you can have a campfire—obey and cooperate with all fire bans, restrictions and closures;
• If campfires are allowed, use an existing fire ring or clear a campfire site down to bare soil;
• Build a ring out of rocks. Keep the fire under four feet in diameter with no less than a ten foot clearance around it;
• Build the fire away from overhanging branches, steep slopes and dry grass;
• Keep a bucket of water and a shovel near the campfire;
• When putting a campfire out, drown it with water, stir the fire with dirt and more water until all the fuel is cold to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is out cold.
• If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

For road closure information or for any other issues, please contact the
Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.

Thanks - Arlene
Follow us on TWITTER: CIBOLA_NF

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

*#*#*#*#*#**#*#*#*#*#*#*#**#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Arlene T. Perea

Recreation Tech.

Mountainair Ranger District

P.O. Box 69

Mountainair, NM 87036

(O) 505-847-2990

(F) 505-847-2238

*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Prescribed Burning To Continue on the Mountainair Ranger District

Mountainair, NM – November 30, 2010:   With the shot of precipitation received on the Manzano’s this week, the Mountainair Ranger District will be planning to continue the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn.


The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area. The remaining portion to be burned is located on the south side of Forest Road #275. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to re-enter this area the week of December 6-11 to finish burning approximately 70 acres. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning and all fire management objectives can be met.


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



###END###

Magdalena Ranger District Plans Sargent Prescribed Burn

MAGDALENA RANGER DISTRICT PLANS


SARGENT PRESCRIBED BURN

MAGDALENA, NM – NOVEMBER 8, 2010 - The Cibola National Forest, Magdalena Ranger District is planning prescribed burns totaling 800 -1,000 acres in the northwestern part of the San Mateo Mountains. Ignition is planned to begin Tuesday, November 16, 2010, and could continue into December, depending on weather and fuel conditions. Prescription parameters include having the appropriate weather forecast and the required personnel and equipment on hand, including identified contingency resources. Fire management crews will patrol for as long as necessary after ignition to ensure public safety.

The Sargent prescribed burn area is located on the Magdalena Ranger District approximately 28 miles southwest of Magdalena, New Mexico and about 33 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences. The dominant fuels in the area are Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and piñon/juniper with light to moderate grass cover. This burn will help improve wildlife habitat and range management.

During this prescribed burn you could experience delays when traveling the following roads: Forest Road (FR) 220, FR 476, FR 477, FR 549, FR 719, and Bolander Canyon Road, Durfee Canyon Road, and Bear Trap Canyon road. Additional fire vehicles will be in the area patrolling and monitoring the road. Please drive carefully when on these roads. Visibility might be lower due to smoke. Use caution.

For more information contact the Magdalena Ranger District at 575-854-2281 or email cwolfe@fs.fed.us.

## End ##

Fall Prescribed Burning To Begin on the Mountainair Ranger District

Mountainair, NM – October 25, 2010: As fall colors come to an end and temperatures drop, it’s time for the Mountainair Ranger District to continue its prescribed burning program. According to District Fire Management Officer, Mark Bernal, the district currently has two burns planned.

Currently there are 2 burns planned on the district. The first burn is the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn. The East Thunderbird burn began last winter, but due to early winter precipitation was not completed. The fall conditions have given us the opportunity to reenter the 190 acre area and attempt to complete the burn.

The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area, along both sides of Forest Road #275. There are no set dates for the burn but district fire personnel will be watching weather patterns closely during the next few weeks to determine when it is safe and advantageous to conduct this burn. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning.

The second burn planned is the Barranco Prescribed Burn. This burn is also within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area and is located South of Forest Road #275. This burn will also be conducted as weather conditions and personnel allow.

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.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON
SANDIA AND MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICTS


ALBUQUERQUE, July 28, 2010 - Fire restrictions for the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will end Friday, July 30th at 8 a.m. Fire danger has decreased due to moisture and higher humidity over much of the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts. Although restrictions are lifted, visitors are reminded to be careful with campfires and the use of chainsaws.

Campfire safety is still a concern year round. The public is asked to please follow these fire safety precautions when recreating in the forest:

• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, pine needles and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
• Clear the campfire area down to bare soil.
• Keep your campfire safe and small, especially when it’s windy.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.
• Drown all campfires and charcoal with water and dirt, stir until ashes are cold to the touch.
• Do not bury coals as they can smolder and re-ignite later.
• Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving.
• The use of fireworks of any kind is strictly prohibited on all National Forest lands.

When planning a trip to your National Forest, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. For fire restrictions and other fire information for recreation sites in New Mexico, log on to http://www.nmfireinfo.com/ Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm