Fire experts turn their focus to next year's fire season

Posted at: 11/02/2011 10:58 PM
By: Eddie Garcia, KOB Eyewitness News 4

The fire season this coming spring has fire officials from all levels of government so concerned, they are starting preparation now.

That is nearly two months ahead of schedule.

The 2011 fire season was unlike any other in New Mexico's recorded history.

According to several local and state fire agencies, the hellish conditions may not be gone - just on break.

"What's concerning us right now is that it looks like it's playing out to be the same scenario that we saw in 2011 and there's a possibility that we could see fire season arrive earlier," said Bureau of Land Management Fire Specialist Loretta Benavidez.

These fire experts are sharing knowledge and strategies to minimize property damage in the coming spring.

For instance, what experts learned from the Los Conchas fire was that the threat to homes or businesses wasn't so much from the fire line but from hot embers that could travel in the air more than three miles.

Unprepared homes burned and those unprepared now could share the same fate.

"Are they ready for those embers when they hit the ground on their deck with pine needles underneath it and think we can safely say 80 percent of them are not ready," said Sandia Ranger District spokesperson, Karen Takai.

Another problem around the state is vacation home owners.

Ruidoso Park Ranger Linda Wallace said many do not clear their homes from fire danger, which threatens their neighbors who do.

She recommended those owners ask for local help.

"The forestry department will do that for them - they will send a person out there and then they will give them tips on what needs to be done," Wallace said.

Wallace also said these measures will stop all the fires, but they could save lives and property.

"It is not too early - people should start doing this now and like I say, February - people may be scrambling if they wait until then," Benavidez said.

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Source: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s2356607.shtml?cat=500

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