April Wildfire Bulletin

April 6, 2011

 

Multi-Agency Wildfire Danger Bulletin

 

The National Weather Service is calling for critical to extreme fire danger for the month of April not only statewide but also along the Bosque and East Mountains. It is up to all of us to protect our properties, open space areas and the Sandia Mountain District. While you are enjoying these areas, help our firefighters by looking out for suspicious behavior. Call 911to report suspicious behavior.

 

Fire restrictions in the Bosque and all Open Space areas are:

1.      No Smoking

2.      No Fireworks

3.      No Open Flames (campfires, BBQ, welding)

4.      No Camping

 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Magdalena, Sandia and Mountainar Ranger Districts are:

1.      Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in U.S. Forest Service developed campsites and picnic grounds where grills and stoves are provided.

2.      Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while  stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

3.      Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.

 

 

 

Home -Fire Safety Outside:

• Clear a 100 foot perimeter of defensible space and thin the vegetation around homes.

• Use non-flammable landscaping materials within 5 ft of the house.

• Clean dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters.

• Cover chimneys and stovepipes with non-flammable mesh.

• Stack woodpiles 100 feet from all structures.

Home- Fire Safety Inside:

• Install smoke alarms. Even in bedrooms if you sleep with the door closed.

• Keep a charged, ABC-type fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage; make sure family members know how to properly use it.

• Have your GO bag ready for you, your family and animals.

• Have an evacuation plan, identify meeting areas and practice it.

 

For more information go to www.cabq.gov/fire, www.nmforestry.com, www.firewise.org, www.nmdhsem.org/prepardness, www.smokeybear.com

 

 

Monte Largo Wildfire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM., April 3, 2011 – The Monte Largo wildfire was reported on April 2, 2011 at 4:40 p.m.  The fire began on Albuquerque Open Space on the west side of the Sandia Mountains.  The wind driven fire crested the ridge at 6:30 p.m. and crossed onto U.S. Forest Service Lands.

As of 3:00 p.m. today the wildfire was 60% contained with approximately 30 acres burned.  As of 4:00 p.m. all fire lines that were put in are holding and most of the fire is extinguished.  Full containment of this fire is expected this evening (Approx:  8:00 p.m.) as long as the weather cooperates.  

The Zuni Hotshot Crew and two helicopters will be held over until tomorrow as a precautionary measure.  Again, area residents should be aware of heavy fire traffic in the area.

NOTE:  This will be the last update for the Monte Largo Wildfire unless the fire becomes active once again.

SAFETY/EDUCATION MESSAGE

Defensible Space - Defensible space is an area around a structure where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest. Defensible space provides room for firefighters to do their jobs. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity.

 

Public Safety Basketball Tournament

AFD beat APD 62-60 in the nail bitting Championship.
Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317