As the country grapples with escalating wildfires, Sandoval County communities in high-risk areas like Placitas are bracing for a possible fall fire season as drier conditions loom.
Despite a recent lull in fire activity, forecasts by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predict that New Mexico will face intensified wildfire threats through September and October, with dry conditions and above-normal temperatures expected.
In its fall outlook, the NIFC warns of increased wildfire risk in parts of New Mexico. In response, Sandoval County is prepared with measures that include specialized training for firefighters, public education initiatives for residents, and strategic collaborations with neighboring fire departments. As fire risk increases, county officials are stressing the importance of community involvement and vigilance to mitigate potential devastation.
“Placitas is kind of unique in that we want to make sure that each homeowner understands that part of this is on them,” said Dan Heerding, Sandoval County emergency manager. “The homeowner needs to have a little bit of stake in this too, and make sure their property is right and they are ready to go at a moment’s notice if something happens.”
According to Heerding, the county’s firefighters receive wildland fire training and hold certifications from the Incident Qualifications and Certification System. The system issues “red cards,” which certify a firefighter’s fitness for wildland operations and specify the positions they are qualified to fill.
The county is equipped with specialized tools for managing wildland fires, including five Type 6 brush trucks designed for use in undeveloped areas. These trucks have thicker tires and higher clearance than standard fire engines.
The county also has six water tender trucks, often mistakenly called tanker trucks.
Ready, Set, Go!
The primary system for notifying Sandoval County residents of emergencies is CodeRED. The free system delivers time-sensitive alerts and emergency information directly to residents via phone calls, text messages, and emails.
Sign up for CodeRED at public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/7A8E40D7EF62 or download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app.
The county uses the Ready, Set, Go! program to help residents prepare for wildfires — ready by being informed, set by staying alert when fire threatens, and go by evacuating early when a wildfire starts.
Heerding said in the event of a system failure, the county would deploy the sheriff’s department or other available resources to deliver notifications door-to-door.
“We rely on the news service to get those words out, too,” he added.
The county fire emergency department has mutual aid agreements in place with multiple agencies during emergencies, including Rio Rancho, Corrales, Cuba, Bernalillo and some of the tribal departments, that are automatically triggered in emergencies.
Emergency response plan
According to Heerding, Sandoval County updates its emergency response plan every five years and is currently in the process of revising several of its emergency plans.
“Since Sandoval County has some very distinct environmental and fire challenge zones, from Placitas to Jemez to Cuba, we are going to be conducting or facilitating several community meetings in all of these locations so we can get specific information that’s unique to their areas and incorporated into our plans,” Heerding said.
The initial meeting with the core team will happen this month, followed by community meetings open to all residents in September.
According to Jon Couch, commissioner of the Los Huertas Community Ditch and associate supervisor for the Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District, community response plans are vital for organizations seeking grants for fire mitigation efforts, such as thinning and clearing fire fuels. A current and established community wildfire protection plan is a grant requirement. Once a plan is in place, the focus can shift to securing grants and funding for necessary work in Los Huertas canyon.
Couch said such funding supports annual events like Chipper Day during the summer. Another Chipper Day is planned for the fall, but no date has been announced.
Homeowner preparedness
Ready.gov recommends homeowners prepare for wildfires by:
- Making an emergency plan.
- Reviewing important documents.
- Knowing their evacuation zone.
- Gathering supplies.