Fire season started alarmingly early this year, and cooler temperatures, and a little rain, now and then, won’t do much to reduce the wildfire danger. says San Juan County Fire and Rescue Chief David Vega. “Northern New Mexico, and in particular northwest New Mexico, hasn’t seen any measurable precipitation for several months,” Vega said. “So in terms of the fire season, we’ve had a very active season. We’re generally running about a month ahead of where we should be for this time of year.”Vega said burning restrictions were briefly implemented last week, and his department will be closely watching conditions so restrictions can be reinstituted if high temperatures, high winds, and dry conditions increase the likelihood of small fires turning into bigger ones. Standard guidance for those who choose to have campfires bear repeating: always have enough water to put out the fire completely. That means making sure there are no hot coals or smoke evident. Even then, another good soaking and monitoring is recommended.If a fire starts accidentally, Vega said it’s important to call 911 before taking any measures to put the fire out.With rain in the forecast in the days ahead, Vega said not to get our hopes up for a reduction in the risk of a potentially severe fire season.”It’s going to take several weeks of sustained moisture to take out that moisture deficit that we’re in,” Vega said. “One little rain storm, honestly — it delays the fire season by a day or two.”
Fire season started alarmingly early this year, and cooler temperatures, and a little rain, now and then, won’t do much to reduce the wildfire danger. says San Juan County Fire and Rescue Chief David Vega.
“Northern New Mexico, and in particular northwest New Mexico, hasn’t seen any measurable precipitation for several months,” Vega said. “So in terms of the fire season, we’ve had a very active season. We’re generally running about a month ahead of where we should be for this time of year.”
Vega said burning restrictions were briefly implemented last week, and his department will be closely watching conditions so restrictions can be reinstituted if high temperatures, high winds, and dry conditions increase the likelihood of small fires turning into bigger ones.
Standard guidance for those who choose to have campfires bear repeating: always have enough water to put out the fire completely. That means making sure there are no hot coals or smoke evident. Even then, another good soaking and monitoring is recommended.
If a fire starts accidentally, Vega said it’s important to call 911 before taking any measures to put the fire out.
With rain in the forecast in the days ahead, Vega said not to get our hopes up for a reduction in the risk of a potentially severe fire season.
“It’s going to take several weeks of sustained moisture to take out that moisture deficit that we’re in,” Vega said. “One little rain storm, honestly — it delays the fire season by a day or two.”
