2022’s Historic Fire Season
9.22.23 – This week on New Mexico in Focus, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus hosts a three-part roundtable conversation with U.S. Forest Service Southwestern Regional Forester Michiko Martin, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor Shaun Sanchez, and Santa Fe National Forest Fuels Program Manager Dennis Carril. In this first segment, the roundtable talks about 2022’s historic fire season, including the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon and Cerro Pelado fires.
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests:
Michiko Martin, U.S. Forest Service Southwestern Regional Forester
Shaun Sanchez, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor
Dennis Carril, Santa Fe National Forest Fuels Program Manager
For More Information:
U.S. Forest Service’s National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy
U.S. Forest Service investigation of the Cerro Pelado Fire
Resources mentioned during the show:
U.S. Forest Service’s National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy
U.S. Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy
U.S. Forest Service investigation of the Cerro Pelado Fire
FEMA’s Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office
Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Landscape Restoration
How to learn more about wildfires when they’re happening:
For fire locations and details about individual fires: InciWeb
New Mexico Fire Information: NM Fire Info & NM Fire Info on Facebook
National Interagency Fire Center – Fire News
If the fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land, search the name of the forest to find updates. Many of the forests, such as the Santa Fe National Forest, also have active Facebook pages.
NOAA Fire Weather information and alerts (to see things like red flag warnings for your area)
New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method (for determining if smoky conditions in your area are unhealthy)
How to learn more about protecting your home and community:
Community Wildfire Protection Plans in NM (includes guidelines and information on creating one, as well as links to plans for communities across the state)
Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide (New Mexico) (for information on protecting your home, being ready to evacuate, and making a personal wildfire plan for your home)
En sus Marcas, Listos, Fuera! Su Guia de Accion (Spanish)
Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network
NM State Foresty, Fire Prevention Programs
NM State Forestry: Protecting your home from wildfire
NM State Forestry: Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones
Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner (English)
Firewise USA: Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks (National Fire Protection Association)
State of New Mexico Prescribed Burn Certification Program
Past Our Land shows related to New Mexico wildfire: