Preparing the Pueblo for Wildfire
Wildfires are important ecologically because they provide soil nutrients and regenerate growth, and create habitat for some wildlife species. Many of the plant species in our area have evolved with wildfires. However, wildfire intensity and numbers are expected to increase over time. More frequent and intense wildfires can be devastating to our homes and communities.
Wildfire hazards on the Pueblo
The wildfire hazard map shows locations that could be more susceptible to wildfires because they have drier vegetation and a higher accumulation of materials that could fuel a fire (called “fuel load”).
On the map to the left, the brighter areas are those that have a higher wildfire hazard. Click here for the wildfire hazard map (PDF).
We can be prepared for wildfires. Wildfire mitigation is taking action now to reduce the impact on our community from future fires.
Take mitigation actions at home
You can take mitigation actions on your property and around the Pueblo. These steps contribute to lowering the risk in all areas of our community.
Create Wildfire Protection Zones
There are three zones of wildfire protection you can create around homes and other important structures: immediate, intermediate, and extended. These three zones work together to reduce fire intensity and build fire breaks to keep fire low and stop it before reaching your home. Click here for the wildfire protection flyer (PDF)
Immediate Zone (0–10 feet): Do not store anything flammable within the 10-foot zone (e.g., propane tanks, grills, stored fuels). Remove anything that can burn at least 30 feet away from exterior walls, such as outdoor furniture, mulch, and firewood piles. Keep your roof or gutters clear of leaves and debris and ensure your windows and attic vents are screened so embers cannot get inside. Use non-flammable landscaping with stone or gravel mulch and limit the amount of vegetation. Keep very flammable plants such as juniper, yucca, pines, and dried grasses, out of this zone.
Intermediate Zone (10–30 feet): Create fire breaks with your landscaping. Keep grass patches mowed, remove vegetation from under trees, and prune tree limbs to a height of 6 feet to keep surface fires from escalating to tree crowns. Limit shrubs and trees to clusters of a few each, with 12 feet of space between clusters.
Extended Zone (30–100 feet): Keep flames low to the ground and reduce the amount of fuel on the ground. Remove leaf litter, dead plants, and other flammable debris. Keep 6 feet of space between trees or clusters of plants. Remove vegetation next to outbuildings or sheds.
Mitigation Actions on the Pueblo
The Pueblo Wildfire Risk Reduction Team (WRRT) – made up of members from the Department of Environmental and Cultural Protection (Raymond Martinez and Nick Hanser), Housing Authority (Christopher Romero), Parks and Wildlife (Leonard Pino), Transportation (Adam Martinez), and Natural Resources (Kate Bohannan) – is building the Pueblo’s wildfire response and mitigation capacity by planning for various conditions, procuring equipment, and providing staff training. Wildfire mitigation actions could be planned for areas with a high wildfire hazard potential, as well as important locations such as historic Pueblo properties, existing and future Pueblo-owned residences, recreational areas, cultural areas, and evacuation routes.
Examples of Pueblo mitigation actions may include:
- Undertaking regularly scheduled vegetation mastication at key locations
- Creating fire protection zones (or fire breaks) adjacent to vegetation
- Improving evacuation routes by clearing brush or making roadway improvements
Wildfire Mitigation Flyer
Pueblo Contacts
Pueblo Wildfire Risk Reduction Team (WRRT)
- Raymond Martinez – DECP Director/Tribal Risk Assessment Program Manager – (505)-455-4127
- Leonard Pino – Tribal Ranger – (505)-238-6763
- Jose Aguilar – Tribal Ranger – (505)-219-7552
- Kate Bohannan – Natural Resources Director – (505)-455-4138
- Adam Martinez – Transportation Maintenance Tech – (505)-455-4156
- Nick Hanser – DECP GIS Specialist – (505)-455-4125
Housing Authority
- Lisa Manwell – Housing Director – (505)-455-4161
- Christopher Romero – Maintenance Manager – (505)-479-0399
Emergency Contacts
- Pojoaque Police Dispatch (505)-455-2295
Learn More
New Mexico Energy, Mineral, and Natural Resources (EMNRD) Fire Prevention Programs: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/fire-prevention-programs/
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Wildfire Information: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/wui/
Firewise USA (NFPA – National Fire Protection Association): https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa