The Association is your neighbors, area residents, local groups/organizations, and government agencies working together for wildfire preparedness through education, training, outreach, and information to help communities with year-round opportunities for reducing wildfire risk.  

MARCH 25-30:  S.W. WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK  

This is Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week.  “Time for Action” is this year’s theme.  See the 2024 Wildfire Safety Outreach Toolkit developed by Southwestern federal, state, and tribal partners.  It offers a list of wildfire prevention and preparedness resources for your use.

MARCH 28:  “N.F.P.A.’s REDUCING WILDFIRE RISK”

Join John Helmich, EMWPA Secretary, for his Zoom presentation on Thursday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m.  His program, Reducing Wildfire Risk: Protect Home or Business,”  will show you how to sign up for the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) free online self-study training in wildfire preparedness.  Until then, feel free to check out these links.  View the video on what the training includes and then how to register to learn what you can do to prepare for the 2024 fire season. The training offers steps on how you can protect your home or business from wildfire.  See NFPA training summary and steps in registering.

APRIL 13-28:  FREE GREEN WASTE DAYS

Get ready now to recycle your green waste this spring during Bernalillo County’s Free Green Waste Days scheduled for April 13-28 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily at the East Mountain Transfer Station.  This event is sponsored by Bernalillo County, County Commissioner Eric Olivas (District 5), Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, and New Mexico Association of Counties.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS IS YEAR-ROUND

Year-round, reduce wildfire risk on your property by creating defensible space, including firewise landscaping.  See Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network, Living with Fire:  A Guide for the Homeowner (New Mexico), and How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires.   For New Mexico forest health conditions, review the 2023 Forest Health Conditions Report and 2023 Data Dashboard.  Another resource is the 2024 Wildfire Safety Outreach Toolkit, a compilation of fire education and outreach resources.

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN

Bernalillo County incorporated your comments into its updated countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).  The update includes revised data analyses, base maps, community risk assessments, priorities for hazard reduction activities, and recommendations for reducing structure ignitability.  Access the CWPP through its Story Map.