Staff Reports
SANTA FE — When it comes to wildfire awareness, it is key to be prepared at a moment’s notice with go-bag essentials and evacuation routes in mind. During Wildfire Awareness Month and throughout peak wildfire season, residents are encouraged to prepare emergency “go-bags” and review evacuation plans to ensure they can leave quickly and safely if wildfire threatens their community.
Emergency preparedness starts well before the threat of wildfire. To help yourself and your family stay prepared, follow these guidelines from the New Mexico State Forestry Division of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resourceses Department:
- Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for your home, family, and pets.
- Assemble an emergency supply kit for each person in your household. This would contain items like copies of personal documents and property records, prescription medications, eyeglasses and contacts, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes, phone charger, battery pack, spare car keys, etc.
- Complete a family communications plan with important contact and evacuation information.
- Stay informed by following local fire alerts and county emergency notifications.
In addition to following updates from New Mexico State Forestry, visit NMFireInfo.com – an interagency effort by federal and state agencies in New Mexico to provide timely, accurate, fire and restriction information for the entire state. The agencies that support the site are the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, State of New Mexico, and U.S. Forest Service.
You can also subscribe to New Mexico State Forestry’s Wildfire E-mail Alert Service (Note: information from this email will only pertain to wildfires on state or private land, not fires burning on federal land such as national forests).
“It’s critical for residents to review recommendations for go-bag essentials from organizations like New Mexico State Forestry and the Red Cross, should disaster arise,” Elouisa Tyler, Bureau Chief, Consumer Assistance Bureau, Civil Investigations Bureau, OSI, said. “And remember, you do not have to wait for a formal evacuation order to leave. If you feel unsafe or threatened by fire conditions, evacuating early can help reduce risk and congestion on roadways. Preparation, awareness, and early action can help save lives during wildfire season.”
