Quick Stats on the Largest Wildfire in New Mexico History

The current wildfire burning in New Mexico is the largest in state history.

Here are the quick stats so far:

• been burning for 2 weeks in the Gila National Forest
• burned 200,000+ acres
• destroyed 20+ structures
• being fought by 1,200 firefighters
• injured 6 people

But ... only 10% contained!

Some say this could be a preview of what's to come.  Given the dryness of this past winter in the Western US and several state's drought conditions, this could be an especially active wildfire season.

It is important to be sure the public is prepared to respond to local wildfires.  For example, look at the awareness campaign from CAL FIRE: Ready, Set, Go!

And remember, it is also important to be sure wildland firefighters stock up on wildland firefighting equipment, like turnout gear and other firefighting supplies.

Go!

Its Wildfire Awareness Week!  And CAL FIRE has a 3-step strategy for people to prepare for the dangers of a wildfire: Ready, Set, Go!

Get Ready - protect your home with defensible space and fire-resistant materials.

Get Set - protect your family by preparing for a potential evacuation.

Now Go - actually evacuate.  Your home and your family have prepared for this, now its time to Go!  Properly close up your house.  Leave as soon as fire personnel tell you to.  Activate your Wildfire Action Plan.  And keep your Emergency Supply Kit handy.

Wildfires are dangerous and firefighters are working hard to contain the fire itself.  Homeowners should be the least of their worries.  So get Ready, Set and Go!

Get Set!

When it comes to wildfire preparedness CAL FIRE says step 1 is Being Ready!  Step 2 is Getting Set!

Getting Set means preparing for the potential of evacuation.  We all hope it doesn't happen, but living in denial is never a good idea.  So Get Set!

Every family should have a Wildfire Action Plan put in place - well before a wildfire happens.  This should be complete, yet simple.  It should tell everyone in the family where to meet in the event of an evacuation.  And its a process the family should practice from time to time.

A Wildfire Action Plan should also name a friend or family member (who lives out of the area) to be the main point of contact if the family gets separated.  CAL FIRE even offers a form you can fill out to keep track of this info.

The family should know where to find its fire extinguisher and how to use it.  The family should know where the main shut-off is for water, gas and electric mains.  And the family should have an Emergency Supply Kit on-hand, if not two kits - one in the house and one in the car.

Protect your home by Being Ready!  Protect your family by Getting Set!

Ready, Set, Go!

Its Wildfire Awareness Week in California and CAL FIRE offers this as step 1 in wildfire preparedness - Being Ready!

Being Ready means homeowners should surround their homes with "defensible space."  In fact, at least 100 feet of space between the home and the surrounding wildland area must remain cleared.

Wildfires can spread by flying embers landing on homes up to a mile away.  Being Ready also means homeowners should cover their homes with fire-resistant materials.  The roof is most vulnerable to wildfire dangers, so roofs should be made of materials such as composition, metal or tile.

This is expected to be a very active wildfire season, prepare now to Be Ready!

Get Ready! Its Wildfire Awareness Week!

The state of California has designated this week (May 6-12, 2012) as Wildfire Awareness Week.  Four of the last seven years have been the most destructive wildfire seasons in US record-keeping history:

• 2011 - 8.7 million acres burned
• 2007 - 9.3 million acres burned
• 2006 - 9.8 million acres burned
• 2005 - 8.6 million acres burned

And this past winter has been especially dry in California.  As of May 1 the statewide snowpack was only 40% of its normal level.  And from January to April 2012 CAL FIRE has responded to 2.5 times as many wildfires (800) as in the same period 2011 (when there were just 300).  So this is expected to be a very active wildfire season in California.

CAL FIRE is continuing its theme of "Ready, Set, Go!" in which residents are asked to take fire safety measures such as Defensible Space, Family Communication Plans and Evacuation Steps.  We'll look at these in more detail this week!