REPORTER FAITH EGBUONU, WHO SPOKE WITH BERNALILLO COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE ON HOW YOU CAN STAY PREPARED. IF A WILDFIRE FORCED YOU TO EVACUATE WITHIN TEN MINUTES, ARE YOU PREPARED? A QUESTION AT TOP OF MIND AS WILDFIRE SEASON NEARS THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, FACING AN ACTIVE HIGH-RISK FIRE SEASON, OVER 400 WILDFIRES REPORTED IN NEW MEXICO THIS YEAR ALONE. THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE STATE’S ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY HOT LATELY AND IT’S BEEN VERY DRY, AND NOW THE GROWING TUCSON’S FIRE IN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, FORCING EVACUATIONS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, BERNALILLO COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE REMINDING US TO STAY ALERT AND PROACTIVE. IT ONLY TAKES ONE SPARK. DO YOUR PART AND PUT OUT THAT SPARK. READY? SET AND GO. YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR BAGS BY THE DOOR READY TO GO. IT’S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE LISTENING TO THE ALERTS, TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE GOING ON THE APPROPRIATE EVACUATION ROUTES, AND THAT YOU’RE HEADED TO THE APPROPRIATE PLACE THAT’S BEEN DESIGNATED FOR YOU SO THAT WE CAN ACCOUNT FOR YOU LIFE SAVING MEASURES TO HELP YOU GET OUT THE DOOR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. BASED ON THREE CORE NEEDS SURVIVAL DOCUMENTS AND COMFORT. ALL RIGHT. YOUR 72 HOUR GO BAG SHOULD HAVE BASIC ESSENTIALS LIKE WATER, NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, A FIRST AID KIT, MEDICINE, AND EVEN A FLASHLIGHT. WE CANNOT FORGET OUR FURRY FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS. GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR PETS WITH YOU. BASED ON THE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THE PETS AND THE MOST VULNERABLE SMALL CHILDREN, ELDERLY ADULTS, ANYBODY WITH MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS. GOOD TO HA
Ready, Set, Go!: How to prep go-bag essentials amid wildfire season
“You need to have your bags by the door ready to go,” Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Joel Gallegos said
The state of New Mexico is experiencing an active and high-risk wildfire season, with 445 wildfires reported this year, according to the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.MORE: Tusas Fire grows to 150 acres with evacuations remaining in placeThe Tusas Fire in San Miguel County prompted evacuations on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, underscoring the importance of preparedness. Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue are urging residents to stay alert and proactive. “It’s important when you’re listening to the alerts, to actually make sure that you’re going on the appropriate evacuation routes—and that you’re headed to the appropriate place that’s been designated for you so that we can account for you,” Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Joel Gallegos said.Key Go-Bag EssentialsWaterNon-perishable foodMedicationsCritical Documents (IDs, Insurance, passport, etc.)FlashlightsCash According to officials, wildfire go-bags should be a portable, easily accessible backpack containing 72 hours of supplies. Prepare bags for each family member, including pets, well in advance.”Go ahead and take your pets with you. If they have any medications, bring their medications, too. Based on the emergency— accommodations will be made for the pets. Also, make a plan for anybody vulnerable in your household— small children, elderly adults, anybody with medical complications. It’s a good to have a plan for them to be prepared,” Gallegos said.ReadyAccording to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department:Being “Ready” for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space around your home. Clear dry brush and vegetation away from the outside of your home beginning with the 5-foot zone, then work your way out to the 100–200-foot zone. Without this buffer, the fire will quickly spread through surrounding vegetation to your home. Consider fire-resistant landscaping and hardening your home with fire-resistant building materials. Flying embers from a wildfire can destroy homes up to a mile away.SetPrepare yourself and your home for the possibility of evacuation BEFORE a wildfire arrives. Follow these simple steps to get “Set”:Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for your home, family and petsAssemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person in your householdFill out a Family Communication Plan that includes important evacuation and contact informationStay informed by following local media, local fire alerts, and county emergency notifications.GoIf there is an active wildfire in your area, be prepared before it’s time to Go!If time allows, review your Wildfire Action Plan and complete the Pre-Evacuation Preparation Steps in the RSG guide. Load your emergency supply kit and evacuation bags (including pet kits) into your vehicle and park facing the road for a quick exit. You don’t need to wait for an evacuation order. If you feel threatened, then evacuate early. When an evacuation order is issued, there is no time to waste. Ensure your bags and kit are in your vehicle, locate and load your pets, wear clothing that will protect you against heat and flying embers, and GO! Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here
The state of New Mexico is experiencing an active and high-risk wildfire season, with 445 wildfires reported this year, according to the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
MORE: Tusas Fire grows to 150 acres with evacuations remaining in place
The Tusas Fire in San Miguel County prompted evacuations on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, underscoring the importance of preparedness. Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue are urging residents to stay alert and proactive.
“It’s important when you’re listening to the alerts, to actually make sure that you’re going on the appropriate evacuation routes—and that you’re headed to the appropriate place that’s been designated for you so that we can account for you,” Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Joel Gallegos said.
Key Go-Bag Essentials
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Medications
- Critical Documents (IDs, Insurance, passport, etc.)
- Flashlights
- Cash
According to officials, wildfire go-bags should be a portable, easily accessible backpack containing 72 hours of supplies. Prepare bags for each family member, including pets, well in advance.
“Go ahead and take your pets with you. If they have any medications, bring their medications, too. Based on the emergency— accommodations will be made for the pets. Also, make a plan for anybody vulnerable in your household— small children, elderly adults, anybody with medical complications. It’s a good to have a plan for them to be prepared,” Gallegos said.
Ready
According to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department:
- Being “Ready” for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space around your home.
- Clear dry brush and vegetation away from the outside of your home beginning with the 5-foot zone, then work your way out to the 100–200-foot zone. Without this buffer, the fire will quickly spread through surrounding vegetation to your home.
- Consider fire-resistant landscaping and hardening your home with fire-resistant building materials. Flying embers from a wildfire can destroy homes up to a mile away.
Set
Prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of evacuation BEFORE a wildfire arrives. Follow these simple steps to get “Set”:
- 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
- Fill out a Family Communication Plan that includes important evacuation and contact information
- Stay informed by following local media, local fire alerts, and county emergency notifications.
Go
If there is an active wildfire in your area, be prepared before it’s time to Go!
- If time allows, review your Wildfire Action Plan and complete the Pre-Evacuation Preparation Steps in the RSG guide.
- Load your emergency supply kit and evacuation bags (including pet kits) into your vehicle and park facing the road for a quick exit. You don’t need to wait for an evacuation order. If you feel threatened, then evacuate early.
- When an evacuation order is issued, there is no time to waste. Ensure your bags and kit are in your vehicle, locate and load your pets, wear clothing that will protect you against heat and flying embers, and GO!
Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here
