New Mexico’s 2014 wildfire season seems to have fizzled out, but the danger is not entirely behind us.
New Mexico State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware said favorable weather combined with a public awareness of fire prevention practices has reduced the number of fires this year. “I don’t want to say that we are out of the woods yet,” he cautioned.
“We have far too much vegetation in our forests,” Ware said. “We need folks to not lose the mentality that given the right weather conditions and the right fuel conditions we could have a wildfire in New Mexico at almost any time of the year.”
Ware also said day-to-day activities can ignite wildfires. In fact, human caused fires greatly outnumber those starting naturally. For instance, sparks thrown from a car’s wheel after a tire blowout in Lea County started a wildfire this year.
Ware warned that heavy rains will produce more vegetation in the forests that could increase future fire risk. He is urging New Mexicans to stay diligent when it comes to fire safety.
Related: KOB's New Mexico Interactive Wildfire Map
