This week on New Mexico in Focus, fire season has started early in our state. In a collaboration with Our Land, Environment Reporter Laura Paskus gives the context we need to understand the impacts of the early start, and how we can navigate this growing threat.

New Mexico has already seen several serious fires across the state. These fires have destroyed hundreds of homes, killed two people so far, forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and livestock, and they’ll cost millions of dollars.

The Longest Season: An Our Land Wildfire Special, explores all these challenges, and the ongoing struggle to support and recruit federal wildland firefighters to control these blazes.

Resources for New Mexicans:

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)

Fire and Smoke Map

New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method (for determining if smoky conditions in your area are unhealthy)

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