CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — As Cibola County grapples with ongoing drought conditions, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources (EMNRD) Forestry Division is stepping up its wildfire prevention efforts ahead of the critical fire season. Despite February marking the 56th wettest month on record, the drought situation has remained relatively unchanged since January, prompting heightened concerns over fire risks in the region.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, Cibola is experiencing varying levels of drought severity, with a significant portion of the county still under 'Moderate Drought' (D1) classification. The impact on agriculture is evident, as 250 acres of hay and 30 acres of haylage have been affected. Livestock has also felt the brunt of these conditions, with 10,281 cattle and 3,026 sheep currently suffering due to the drought, showcasing a notable increase in affected livestock compared to previous months.
In response to these challenging conditions, the EMNRD Forestry Division, in collaboration with fire prevention partners, is launching wildfire prevention advice. The campaign aims to educate the public on effective fire prevention strategies, emphasizing the critical role of community engagement in mitigating wildfire risks.
This year's theme, 'Time for Action,' underscores the urgency of adopting proactive measures to protect against wildfires. Utilizing social media platforms, the campaign will focus on increasing awareness around creating defensible spaces, the science of ember-born fire spread, and the importance of community preparedness.
Cibola County Fire Marshall Dustin Middleton emphasized the continued threat of wildfires despite recent wetter conditions. 'The drought is a major concern for our area, and the risk of fires remains significant,' Middleton stated. He highlighted the importance of community support for volunteer fire departments, including clearing bushes, trimming lawns, and removing flammable debris to reduce fire hazards.
The Forestry Division's efforts are complemented by guidelines on managing the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), which recommend specific steps to enhance properties' resilience to wildfires: Immediate Zone (0-5 feet from the home)
• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to vents in the eaves to reduce ember entry. • Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install metal mesh screening.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows.
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris accumulation.
• Move flammable material away from wall exteriors, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves, needles, and firewood piles.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from the home)
• Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
• Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
• Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
• Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.
• Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees, do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
• Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns, increasing with the slope's percentage.
• Plan tree placement to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
• Limit trees and shrubs in this zone to small clusters of a few each to break up vegetation continuity.
Extended Zone (30-100 feet, out to 200 feet from the home)
• Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
• Remove dead plant and tree material.
• Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
• Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
• Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.
• Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops. The needed crown spacing to reduce/prevent crown fire potential could be significantly greater due to factors like slope, tree species, and other site-specific conditions. Always consult with local forestry professionals for specific advice.