Sandoval News

Press Release

To: All Cibola County Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Your Local Fire Service Announces Program to Saves Lives and Property During a Wildland Fire

Cibola County in collaboration with the City of Gants and the Village of Milan are launching a new program in Cibola County designed to teach individuals who live in high-risk wildland fire areas how to best prepare themselves and their properties against wildland fire threats. The Ready, Set, Go! Program works collaboratively with defensible space education tools and provides the tools for the fire service to educate individuals on preparedness, situational awareness when a fire starts, and to act early for the safety of your family and emergency responders.  

The Ready, Set, Go! Program is the result of a nation-wide discussion on how to protect homes and lives in what the fire service calls the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). WUI is where development meets natural vegetation and the ember zone. An ember zone is an area where the wind driven ember fall-out from a wildland fire can threaten property and lives.  Some of these areas in Cibola County that are identified as a Wildland Urban Interface, include but not limited to, Bluewater Acres, Candy Kitchen, La Jara Subdivision, Lobo Canyon-Cantina Acres and surrounding, Oso Ridge, Pinehill, San Mateo, Timberlake, Etc.

The Ready, Set, Go! Program seeks to share information with residents on what you can do to successfully prepare for a wildland fire. Speak with your local fire department about your area’s threat for wildland fire and learn more about the WUI. Fire season is an increasing threat and a year-round reality in many areas. Do your part to be prepared. Follow the simple steps of the program below:

• Ready – Be ready.  Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home.  Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures.  Create your Personal Wildland Fire Action Plan.

o Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe place.  

o Plan escape routes and make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action and practice it regularly.

• Set – Situational awareness.  Pack your emergency items. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, your local fire department, and public safety.

• Go – Act early!  Follow your Personal Wildland Fire Action Plan. Doing so will not only support your safety but will allow emergency responders to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.  

Don’t let the first time you educate yourself on wildland fire be in the aftermath, join with us and be a part of the wildland fire solution today!  

Contact Your Local Fire Department or go to Fire Information (cibolacountynm.com) for more information on the Ready, Set, Go! Program.

Original source can be found here.