Fire restrictions in effect in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County (with links to more info)
Posted at: 06/08/2012 12:46 PM
| Updated at: 06/08/2012 12:52 PM
By: KOB.com Staff
Because of the increasing potential for wildland fires, fire response agencies in the greater Albuquerque area are raising their fire indices to very high, which means that there is high fire danger in the area.
This is in addition to fire restrictions in a total of 21 New Mexico counties (see map).
The City of Albuquerque Fire Department, Bernalillo County Fire Department, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the Cibola National Forest have been working together to coordinate efforts and communications to increase wildfire awareness and preparedness.
The agencies used the following criteria when they changed the fire danger indices to very high:
• When fires start easily from all causes and spread rapidly and quickly increase in intensity immediately after ignition.
• When spot fires are a constant danger.
• When there are concerns that fires burning in light vegetation (fuels) could quickly develop into high intensity fires. The goal of these efforts is to protect our communities and our forests, which can only be done with the help from both homeowners and visitors.
Please:
• Be vigilant and use common sense when dealing with open flames of any sort;
• Be aware of RED FLAG warning days! Follow the Red Flag Protocols (see link below)
• Know all restrictions in the areas you visit.
“The Cibola National Forest’s Sandia Ranger District is under Stage 1 restrictions,” said Ranger Cid Morgan.
“We are on high alert with our fire crews, are patrolling our areas, and are ready to respond on a moment’s notice,” she added.
Remember: fireworks are NEVER allowed in national forests.
The City of Albuquerque is in Stage 1 restrictions year-round.
“Although we are not yet at the abnormally high fire danger levels that we saw last year, we are starting to see our fire danger increase,” said Albuquerque Fire Chief James Breen.
“We were enthralled with the public’s consideration and compliance with the fire restrictions and mindfulness of fire danger last year and ask for the same this year from every citizen and visitor of New Mexico to help us prevent wildfires,” he added.
As the Southwest ramps up into fire season, the Bernalillo County Fire Department has deployed firefighters to Arizona as well as to the Gila fires in support of emergency efforts.
“We will continue to be prepared to help whenever and wherever we are needed,” said BCFD Fire Chief John Garcia.
“As our cooperating fire response agencies are also requesting, please be careful with open flames and follow the restrictions in place,” he added.
For additional information on restrictions and updates on fires, visit these sites:
• Bernalillo County: www.bernco.gov
• Cibola National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola
• City of Albuquerque: http://www.cabq.gov/fire
• The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (Bosque): http://www.mrgcd.com/
• New Mexico Fire Information: www.nmfireinfo.com
• InciWeb: www.inciweb.org
• New Mexico State Forestry: www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD
• National Weather Service Red Flag Warning definition: http://www.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=Red%20Flag%20Warning
• SW Area Wildland Fire Operations (SWCC) fire restriction hot line: 1-877-864-6985
 |
Tweet |
|
