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.

East Thunderbird Prescribe Burn, Planned for Mid-October

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Thunderbird Prescribe Burn

Planned for Mid-October

Mountainair, NM – October 7, 2011:  Fire officials on the Mountainair Ranger District have been monitoring fuel moisture conditions. With the current moisture levels they plan to complete the East Thunderbird 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 in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area.  This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area.  The portion to be burned is located on the south side of Forest Road #275 and west of the Thunderbird Private Property.  District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to re-enter this area sometime during the next week to two weeks to finish burning approximately 75 acres.  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.