New Mexico Wildfires

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New Mexico Wildfires

Wildfire Background

Disaster Readiness

Survival and Recovery

Wildfire Background

A Fire Typology

• Crown Fire– Top to top

• Surface Fire– Brush– Grass*– Lower branches

• Ground Fire– Forest litter,– Duff– Roots

• Spot Fire– Firebrands

Wildfire Background

Grass Fires* – Particularly Dangerous

Hot, Intense and Wind Sensitive– Variable wind direction – Variable wind speed

•4 mph wind increase•3 foot flame jumps to 15 feet

Wildfire Background

Three Ways Wildfire Spreads

• Contact by Flames• Radiated Heat• Spotting Fire

Wildfire Background

• Fire Causes– Human– Lightning

• 2006 Fires as of Mid-April– 537 Human caused - 242,460 acres burned

– 9 Lighting strikes - 99 acres burned

Wildfire Background

Two Fire Seasons

• Spring - First and Worst– Normally May 1st to July 15th

– No rain + dry winds + vegetation

• Fall – after Monsoon– Reduced moisture– Plant die out/dry out

Wildfire Background

Drought in New Mexico• Every 10 years on average• Length of drought varies• Effects on fire season

•Starts earlier•Lasts longer•Increased number of fires

Wildfire Background

Drought Threat Estimate•20 homes destroyed•2000 people evacuated•Evacuations more than 3 days

Wildfire Background

At Risk• Then…

– Forest– Grass

• and now– Urban sprawl into Wildlands– Extends danger to more people and property

Wildfire Readiness

Are You Prepared?

Wildfire Readiness

Survival Factor One - Roofing Material

• Build/remodel with Class A or B fire resistant materials

• Class A fire-rated materials (2 - 4 hrs before ignition)• Tile, clay tile, concrete and slate shingles• Metal (with gypsum underlay)• Asphalt (fiber-glass reinforced) • Fiber-cement shingles

Wildfire Readiness

Survival Factor One - Roofing Material

• Class B fire-rated materials (1 hr before ignition)• Pressure treated shingles• Pressure treated shakes

• Class C is not recommended (20 min before ignition)• Wood shakes and shingles• Plywood• Particleboard• Asphalt (mineral reinforced)

Wildfire Readiness

Survival Factor Two – Defensible Space

• Area where vegetation & fuels are• Cleared• Reduced• Treated

• Purpose• Slows the spread of fire to the structure• Slows the spread of fire from the structure• Room for firefighters to work

Wildfire Readiness

• Three Defense Zones

• Size Varies– Building size and shape– Construction– Slope of site– Surrounding topography– Vegetation size and type

Wildfire Readiness

Zone 1• Area 15 feet from structure edges• Key Points

– Plant nothing within 3 to 5 feet of structure

– Do not store firewood/flammables– Enclose /screen decks– Remove trees or reduce to one

• Prune to 15 ft crown• Remove fuel ladders: leaves brush, shrubs

Wildfire Readiness

• Area 75 to 125 feet from structure edges– Slope & Topography– Increase distance– Example

• 90 ft Uphill• 104 ft downhill

Zone 2

Wildfire Readiness

Zone 2• Key Points

– Reduce fuels• Remove stressed, diseased, dead trees and shrubs• Thin and prune the rest to 10 feet between crowns

• Thin along driveways to main access road• Mow grasses

– Slopes• Allow more space between crowns• Move firewood/woodpiles at least 30 feet up slope

Wildfire Readiness

Zone 2• Key Points

• Locate propane tanks at least 30 feet from structure

– Preferably on same elevation– Do not screen tanks with shrubs or vegetation– Clear all vegetation within 10 feet of tanks

• Dispose of slash

Wildfire Readiness

Zone 3• Undefined area beyond Zone 2• Key Points

• Thinning based on land management objectives

• Species based on area• Consult Forestry Division experts• Mowing is not necessary• Pruning is generally not necessary.

Wildfire Readiness

Landscaping Defensible Space• Trees & Shrubs

– Choose species that are fire resistant

– Maintenance is still important• Native Grasses

– Lower (shorter) growing– Less maintenance– Seed available & inexpensive

Wildfire Readiness

Landscaping Defensible Space• “Fire Wise Plant Materials”

– Lists trees and shrubs– Available on the Web at

http://aces.nmsu.edu/defensible_zone/protect/docs_pdf/fire_wise.pdf

• “Grass Seed Mixes to Reduce Wildfire Hazard”– Native & non-native mixes– Listed by altitude range– Available on the Web at

http://aces.nmsu.edu/defensible_zone/protect/docs_pdf/grass_seed.pdf

Wildfire Readiness

A defensible space

might look like the

one shown here.

Wildfire Readiness

Before Wildfire Threatens• Use the Annual Checklist

• Defensible space cleared of trash and debris• Keep roof, gutters and chimneys clean• Grass & weeds mowed• Test smoke/CO detectors• Check fire extinguishers

• Update Your Disaster Supplies Kit• Food, water and supplies for three days + First Aid Kit

• Key Financial and personal papers• Plan for pet survival/removal

Wildfire Readiness

When Wildfire Threatens• Stay Informed & Prepare to Leave

• Make vehicles ready for escape• Confine pets• Arrange for housing• Load Emergency Supplies Kit & Vital Documents Packet

• Evacuate When Instructed• Wear protective clothing• Lock your home• Let someone know your plans• Drive away from fire

Wildfire Readiness

When Wildfire Threatens– If you have time

•Close windows, vents, doors.•Shut off gas•Open fireplace damper; close fireplace screen.

•Remove flammable materials from windows and sliding glass doors.

•Leave a light on in each room to make the house visible in heavy smoke

Wildfire Readiness

When Wildfire ThreatensIf you have time•Seal attic and ground vents•Turn off propane tanks•Connect garden hoses•Place lawn sprinklers on roof & wet it down

•Place sprinkler near above ground fuel tanks

•Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet

Wildfire Readiness

Full information is in

“Creating Wildfire Defensible Zones”on the Web at

http://aces.nmsu.edu/defensible_zone/protect/docs_pdf/wildfire_defense.pdf

and

“Wildfire…Are You Prepared?”on the Web at

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-287-508.pdf

Wildfire Readiness

Recommended Web Site

http://www.firewise.org

Firewise Communities Program

Survival during a Wildfire

Vehicle–Roll up windows and close vents–Park away from trees and brush–Headlights on/ignition off–Get on the floor/coverup–Wait for fire to pass–Stay in the vehicle

Survival during a Wildfire

•At Home–Go inside as fire approaches–Fire will pass before the house burns down

•In the Open–Sparse fuel area–Ditch, road cut or depression–Cover yourself

Wildfire Recovery

After the Fire

• First 24 Hours– Contact Assistance Agencies

– Contact Insurance Company

• Ongoing Actions– Valuing Property– Replacing Documents– Salvage and Restoration

Wildfire Recovery

Web Site

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/atf/

After the Fire – Return to Normal

Wildfire Readiness

In Conclusion

• The Wildfire Threat

• Preparing for the Threat

• Survival and Recovery