Wildfire Wednesdays #50: Montana Wildfire Insurance Panel - Soil Moisture and Wildfire Danger

Hi FACNM Members,  

Spring is windy in New Mexico. Be sure to check for red flag warnings before you burn debris or operate equipment that may create sparks. Red Flag warnings mean that warm temperatures, low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. There are currently red flag warnings across most of New Mexico.  

This Wildfire Wednesdays features:  

  • A webinar about insurance industry professionals and wildfire mitigation 

  • Using Soil Moisture Information to Better Understand and Predict Wildfire Danger 

Best,  

Gabe 

 

Insurance Industry and Wildfire Mitigation 

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This panel discussion, followed by a public Q&A, covers how we can better align the efforts of community leaders and insurance providers in promoting and expanding wildfire risk reduction efforts. 

Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association moderated the panel, which featured Nicole Mahrt-Ganley of American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Daniel Gorham of IBHS, and Jason Fehr of Chubb Insurance. The panel was hosted by Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network and Missoula County Office of Emergency Management, and was made possible with funding provided by the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network. 

For more information, and to view the recording, please click here. 

 

Using Soil Moisture Information to Better Understand and Predict Wildfire Danger: A Symposium for Researchers and Fire Managers 

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This free online symposium will highlight the latest advances in using soil moisture information to better understand and predict wildfire danger. These recent discoveries are revealing the potential for soil moisture estimates from in situ monitoring stations, remote sensing, and models to improve fire danger predictions and to advance our understanding of fire behavior. 

This interactive symposium will provide researchers and fire managers a unique opportunity to connect with others, to learn about ongoing research in this area, and to discuss ways to move forward with new research and end uses. 

The symposium will run from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. CDT and from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. CDT on May 6, 2021. The event agenda, which will be posted shortly on Drought.gov, will feature invited talks, interactive breakout groups, and panel discussions.  

Registration is free. To register by April 30, 2021, click here.

Invited Speakers: 

  • John Bolten, Hydrological Sciences Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 

  • J. D. Carlson, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University 

  • Nicholas Coops, Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia 

  • W. Matt Jolly, Rocky Mountain Research Station Fire Sciences Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service 

  • Brian Magi, Geography and Earth Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte 

  • Brad Quayle, Geospatial Technology and Applications Center, U.S. Forest Service 

  • J. T. Reager, Terrestrial Hydrology Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

  • Angela Rigden, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University 

Sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, with additional programmatic support provided by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network, and NIDIS. 

Organizing Committee: 

  • Matthew Levi, Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia (co-chair) 

  • Tyson Ochsner, Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University (co-chair) 

  • Stephanie Connolly, U.S. Forest Service, Office of Sustainability and Climate 

  • Marina Skumanich, NOAA/NIDIS, National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network 

For more information, please contact Matthew Levi (matthew.levi@uga.edu) or Tyson Ochsner (tyson.ochsner@okstate.edu). 

  

Wildfire Wednesdays #49: Land Use Planning - Reduce Home Risk - Smoke Preparedness

Hi FACNM Members,

Spring is an important time for forest and fire managers to complete much-needed prescribed fire projects while weather conditions are favorable for low-severity fire. If you need information on a prescribed fire near you, or are interested in current fire restrictions, be sure to visit nmfireinfo.com.

This Wildfire Wednesdays features:

  • Land Use Planning: Expanding the Wildfire Risk Reduction Toolkit

  • Steps to reduce Wildfire Risk to your Home

  • Smoke Preparedness Resources

Best,

Gabe

Land Use Planning Toolkit

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Authors

Molly Mowery, AICP (Executive Director, CWPC)

Darrin Punchard, AICP, CFM (Principal, Punchard Consulting LLC)

The findings of a recent report illustrate that there are many opportunities within each state and across all four states to advance WUI risk reduction objectives through land use planning. Broad solutions synthesized from all four states focus primarily on state-level policy and funding activities:

  • Adopt state legislation for minimum wildfire hazard planning requirements.

  • Integrate the role of land use planning expertise in WUI initiatives.

  • Promote learning opportunities to engage planners on WUI topics.

  • Dedicate resources and funding to support risk reduction in the existing WUI.

  • Identify and transfer land use planning practices from other hazards to wildfire.

It’s imperative to take action now on implementing these solutions. Western communities are increasingly facing trends and uncertainties that will continue to put pressure on the WUI—this includes accelerating impacts of climate change, population growth, and shifting land use patterns shaped by changing commuter patterns. Collectively, these factors could both expand the footprint of the WUI and increase the devastation of wildfires. Forward-thinking land use planning policies and regulations serve an important role in helping state and local governments address wildfire risk for communities today and those in the future.

To learn more about this research and access the Land Use Planning Toolkit by Molly Mowery, click here.

Steps to Reduce Wildfire Risk to your Home

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No one thing reduces risk completely―the solution requires a system. Follow this series of steps to reduce your home’s risk.

Research has shown there are clear steps you can take to give your home a much better chance of surviving an encounter with wildfire. This guide produced by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) provides four sets of steps that are grouped to provide the most impact for the time and cost involved. Get started today and be Wildfire Ready.

To see the steps that will give your home the best chance of survival, click here.

Smoke Preparedness Resources

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If you were not able to join the Smoke Preparedness webinar with Ali Lerch last night, click here to see the recording. Through the 1-hour webinar we discussed the health effects of smoke exposure, differences between smoke from wildfire and prescribed fire, and some resources that you can use to prepare your home and family for wildfire smoke.

Some great resources for smoke preparedness including:

FACNM Smoke Resources Page: https://facnm.org/smoke

  • Interactive smoke map

  • General Smoke Information

  • HEPA filter loan program

WAFAC Smoke Ready Page: https://www.fireadaptedwashington.org/toolkit/#Smoke-Ready-Toolkit

  • Presentations in English and Spanish for communicating smoke readiness to others.

  • Videos in English and Spanish for communicating smoke readiness to others.

Greater Flagstaff Forest Partners Smoke Resources: https://gffp.org/smoke/

  • Resources to check air quality

  • Information about the health risks and improving your health during wildfire smoke

Smoke Preparedness Webinar: Join us Tonight at 6pm!

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Please join us tonight, April 13th at 6pm MT for a Smoke Preparedness Webinar with guest speaker Ali Lerch. Through this interview-style, 1-hour webinar we will open up a conversation with our speaker about the health effects of smoke, differences between prescribed fire and wildfire smoke, and some resources to prepare you and your family for wildfire smoke during the upcoming fire season. The webinar will take place on Facebook live and will be streaming from the FACNM Facebook as well as partner Facebook pages.  

Our guest speaker, Ali Lerch, has diverse experience as a wildfire mitigation specialist, community outreach coordinator, wildfire mitigation program manager, and the host of the Fire Adapted Communities smoke learning group. Currently, Ali works as a wildfire program manager with the non-profit organization Coalitions in Collaboratives and resides in Salida, Colorado.   

This event is part of a broader interagency campaign to promote wildfire preparedness in 2021, centering around the theme “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round."

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Wildfire Wednesdays #48: Smoke Preparedness Webinar - Fire Restrictions Tool - The West is Burning Documentary

Hi FACNM Members,

With the drought, warmer spring weather, and wind we are already beginning to see Red Flag days across the state. Fire season comes early in the Southwest, so be prepared. While taking precautions to protect your home from flames and embers, be sure to prevent the start of a wildfire through debris burning, sparks from gas-powered equipment, or anything else.

This Wildfire Wednesdays features:

  • Smoke Preparedness Webinar hosted by FACNM

  • New Tool for Fire Restrictions Information

  • The West is Burning: A Documentary about Increasing Wildfire

Best,

Gabe

Smoke Preparedness Webinar Tuesday, April 13th at 6pm

Click to zoom

Click to zoom

Please join us on Tuesday, April 13th at 6pm mst for a Smoke Preparedness Webinar with guest speaker Ali Lerch. Through this interview-style, 1-hour webinar we will open up a conversation with our speaker about the health effects of smoke, differences between prescribed fire and wildfire smoke, and some resources to prepare you and your family for wildfire smoke during the 2021 wildfire season. The webinar will take place on Facebook live and will be streaming from the FACNM Facebook as well as partner Facebook pages.  

Click to zoom

Click to zoom

Our guest speaker, Ali Lerch, has over 14 years of experience working with local, state, and tribal natural resource agencies in community wildfire facilitation, public speaking, planning, grant writing, coalition building, and risk assessments in high risk areas throughout the United States with a focus in North Carolina, Utah, Oregon, and Colorado. Ali provides expertise and support to organizations on wildfire smoke adaptation through the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network’s (FAC Net) Smoke Learning Group.

This webinar is part of an interagency campaign to promote wildfire preparedness in 2021, centering around the theme “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round," Fire Adapted New Mexico and will be hosting a monthly webinar series for March, April, and May.  

New Tool for Fire Restrictions Information

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Interagency public land management partners from Arizona and New Mexico have worked to develop a map-based tool to inform the public about fire restrictions on public lands. Partner agencies, under the Southwest Coordinating Group, have worked to develop a new informational web tool that went live Monday, April 5, 2021. The new web tool is designed to provide the public with fire restrictions information for public lands that is easy to find and understand, as well as linking the users to the agencies managing those public lands for more detailed information for trip planning.

Fire restrictions can be found by visiting the following locations: · In Arizona, the fire restriction information web-tool can be found by visiting: Wildlandfire.az.gov

In New Mexico, the fire restriction information web-tool can be found by visiting: NMFireInfo.com and selecting the Restrictions tab on top menu.

Fire restrictions are implemented in an effort to help decrease human-caused fires during periods of high fire potential by restricting activities which are the most common causes of wildfires. By providing a resource with accurate and timely information, the goal is to educate and increase compliance, therefore reducing preventable human-caused fires.

To read the full release, click here.

The West is Burning

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THE WEST IS BURNING raises awareness about the conditions of forests in the western U.S. Told through a full-feature documentary, we examine the history of forest management and litigation that led to the current conditions which are causing catastrophic fire nearly year-round. The film explores the urgent need to act now, and the potential to generate positive change in our forests, watersheds, and communities, both rural and urban.

The documentary airs on PBS in New Mexico at 2pm tomorrow for the first time. To see the full list of showings on PBS in New Mexico, click here.

An app accompanies the documentary as a way for you to create short films with a narrow focus. Discover these short films on our story map.

Find community hosted screenings followed by engaging dialogue. Or host your own screening! We’ll provide a guide to help you facilitate it.

You have an important role in this conversation and we want you to be informed and involved.

For more information about the documentary on their website, click here.

 

 

 

Wildfire Wednesdays #47: Wildfire Season Outlook - Prevention Summit - Smoke Preparedness Webinar

Hi FACNM Members,

This week, March 28th- April 3rd, is Wildfire Awareness Week in New Mexico. This year’s theme is “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round.” Take this week as an opportunity to talk with your friends, family, and neighbors about the upcoming wildfire season. The simple recognition that many of us live in wildfire-prone areas can increase awareness and motivate small actions that make a big difference.

This week’s Wildfire Wednesday features:

  • Fire Season Weather Outlook

  • 2021 Fire Prevention Summit

  • Smoke preparedness webinar

Best,

Gabe

2021 Wildfire Season Outlook

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This video from the National Weather Service in New Mexico takes a look back at 2020, follows with mid to late-March current conditions, and then finishes with a look at forecast projections for temperature and precipitation through the 2021 wildfire and monsoon seasons.

To watch the 2021 outlook, click here.

2021 Fire Prevention Summit

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May 4th 9:00 am – 4:45 pm PST

Hosted by: Western Fire Chiefs Association

This is the first in a series of Wildfire Prevention Summits. This premiere event will examine the four primary causes (Arson, Accidental, Roadside & Utility Infrastructure) of wildfire ignitions with a focus on Roadside and Utility Infrastructure ignitions in the Western United States. The intent of the Summit is to provide a venue for an exchange of dialogue regarding current issues, best practices and emerging solutions on wildfire prevention. Our speakers and panels will provide a national perspective while discussing regional, statewide and local initiatives.

Fire safety professionals from around the world who are involved in wildfire protection and prevention are encouraged to attend this summit.

There is no cost to attend the Wildfire Prevention Summit!

To learn more, or to register, click here.

 

Smoke Preparedness Webinar

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April 13th, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm mst on FACNM Facebook Livestream

Save the date for this free, one-hour webinar about smoke preparedness with guest speaker Ali Lerch.

This webinar will provide general information about smoke from wildfire and prescribed fires as well as some specific resources to prepared you and your loved ones for wildfire season. Stay tuned to next week’s Wildfire Wednesday newsletter for more information!

Our speaker, Ali Lerch, has a wealth of experience ranging from a Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator in Ashland, OR, to her current role as a Wildfire Program Manager with the non-profit Coalitions and Collaboratives. Ali hosts the smoke learning group within the national Fire Adapted Communities Network and has been deeply involved in community outreach efforts throughout her career.

 

 

Wildfire Wednesdays #46: House Bill 57 - Timberlake Community Chipper Day - After the Flames Webinar

Hi FACNM Members,

As we focus on incremental progress toward wildfire preparedness, it is important to stop along the way to appreciate our successes. This week I want to focus on a couple successes that are connected to our work in the Fire Adapted Learning Network.

This Wildfire Wednesdays features:

  • Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signs House bill 57, improving forest management and helping NM avoid catastrophic wildfires.

  • Success story written by FAC leader Mary Jo Wallen about the Timberlake Fire Mitigation Committee in their implementation of a community chipper day.

  • After the Flames webinar: Understand Post-Fire Flood Risk Before the Fire

Best,

Gabe

Gov. signs bipartisan measure to improve forest management, help N.M. avoid catastrophic fires

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed into law House Bill 57, an important environmental measure that will help the state improve forest management amid a changing climate through prescribed burns, which will contribute to lessening the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

“The Prescribed Burning Act is an important proactive action for our state to ensure our forests and watersheds provide clean water and other benefits for future generations – while recognizing and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham.

To read the full release, click here

 

Adapting for Success: Timberlake Ranch Community Chipper Day

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Sometimes things don’t go as planned. This was the case when the Timberlake Ranch set out to complete a community chipper day through an National Fire Protection Association grant for wildfire preparedness day events. Still, members of the Timberlake Fire Mitigation Committee adapted their plans and were able to remove thinning slash from their community by partnering with Ramah Navajo.

To read the full story by FACNM leader Mary Jo Wallen, click here.

 

After the Flames Webinar: Assisting Communities to Understand Post-Fire Flood Risk Before the Fire

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YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO START PLANNING

April 5th 2021 12:30 – 3:30pm mst,

Join experts from the Enginuity Engineering Solutions for a discussion of – What information is available to plan for post-fire flooding?

  • How to update that information

  • How to use publicly available models

  • Use assessments to understand values at risk

Click here to learn more and to register.

 

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Don’t Depend on Luck – Be Aware and Prepared

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March 11, 2021 

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round:
Don’t Depend on Luck – Be Aware & Prepared 

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Santa Fe, NM – March 11, 2021 – March brings the first signs of spring to drought-stricken Northern New Mexico landscapes, including warmer temperatures, windy conditions and the potential onset of wildfires. To prepare for the 2021 wildfire season, The Forest Stewards Guild is working with local, state, federal, and tribal partners and non-governmental organizations on a year-round wildfire preparedness campaign. With Saint Patrick’s Day approaching, our message is: don’t depend on luck – be aware and prepared. 

In the last 15 years, wildfire has destroyed 89,210 structures, with 62% of the total structures lost in 2017, 2018, and 2020 combined. As we begin to spend more time outdoors, pay attention to your home and property with wildfire in mind – consider ember and flame contact. While there are no guarantees when it comes to wildfire, don’t depend on luck.  

There are simple and effective ways to reduce the risk of home ignition. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides useful guidance on how to prepare the Home Ignition Zone for wildfire (en español). In March, we want to begin focusing on the 5-foot zone surrounding our homes. Follow the simple instructions below or join us on March 16 at 6 p.m. for a Home Ignition Zone webinar with guest speaker Capt. Jerry McAdams, a certified wildfire mitigation specialist and 20-year fire service veteran.  

Start from the top – work down and out: the non-combustible 5-foot zone around your home 

  • Clean up dead vegetation from last season that gets trapped against your house, under your deck, and against fences. Make sure to remove fine fuels, such as pine needles and anything else that may ignite when exposed to an ember or flame.

  • Replace mulch from around the base of your home with a non-flammable material such as river rock or pea gravel.

  • Keep any plants in the 5-foot zone irrigated and pruned. Replace vegetation that is woody, dry or difficult to maintain with low-maintenance, fire-resistant vegetation using New Mexico State University’s fire-wise planting guide.

  • Don't store firewood, gas cans, lawn mowers, cardboard or other combustible materials next to your home. Move these items at least 5 feet away from the outside walls of the house.

The Forest Stewards Guild and Fire Adapted New Mexico are working with EMNRD Forestry Division, the Santa FeCibola, and Carson National Forests, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico to build a 2021 wildfire preparedness calendar and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.  

The Forest Stewards Guilds and Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico are equal opportunity providers. 

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Wildfire Wednesdays #45: NMSU preparedness webinar - Home Ignition Zone webinar - New Mexico Forestry Division grant opportunities

Hi FACNM Members,

With Southwest wildfire preparedness week at the end of this month (3/28 – (4/3), now is a great time to get ready for wildfire season in your home and community. This year, there are many excellent virtual resources. You can enjoy the webinars below from the comfort of your own couch. Take advantage of all the great information at your finger-tips and don’t forget to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to tune in.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

  • Proactive steps for individual and family preparedness webinar, tomorrow, March 11th

  • Home Ignition Zone webinar Tuesday, March 16th at 6pm

  • New Mexico State Forestry WUI fuels grant RFP and Non-federal lands fuels grant RFP start today, March 10th.

Best,

Gabe

NMSU Learning to Live with Fire webinar: Proactive steps for individual and family preparedness

Tomorrow, March 11th at 12pm

Guest Speaker Tom Dominguez, Santa Fe County Extension Agent

This informative lunch-hour webinar series from New Mexico State University Extension, Learning to Live with Fire, is going on every Thursday in the month of March. Tune in this week to learn how you and your family can get prepared for the upcoming fire season. Also, this talk will share information about now to identify and dispose of trees that have experienced insect and disease mortality. With this year’s drought conditions, we may be seeing more insect and disease mortality.  

For more information and to register, click here.

Home Ignition Zone webinar Tuesday, March 16th at 6pm

Please join us on Tuesday, March 16th at 6pm mst for a Home Ignition Zone Webinar with guest speaker Captain Jerry McAdams. Through this 1-hour webinar we hope to teach our audience some simple and effective ways to reduce the risk of home ignition from flames and embers. The webinar will take place on Facebook live and will be streaming from the FACNM Facebook as well as partner Facebook pages.  

Our guest speaker, Jerry McAdams, has over 20 years of experience working in the fire service. Jerry is a Senior Captain and NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) for the Boise Fire Department in Boise, Idaho.  

This webinar is part of an interagency campaign to promote wildfire preparedness in 2021, centering around the theme “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round," Fire Adapted New Mexico and will be hosting a monthly webinar series for March, April, and May.  

New Mexico State Forestry Division Requests Applications for their WUI Fuels and Non-Federal Lands Grant Programs

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Today, March 10th, New Mexico State Forestry Division released the notice of funding opportunities and request for applications (RFA) to two grant programs: The FY22 Wildland Urban Interface Hazardous Fuels Grant, and the FY21 Non-Federal Lands Hazardous Fuels Grant.

For full grant program information, and to access the RFAs, click here.

 

 

Wildfire Wednesdays #44: Home Ignition Zone Webinar - Wildfire Preparedness Day Toolkit

Hi FACNM Members,  

Keep up the good work! With warmer temperatures and windy spring weather, fire season comes early in the Southwest. With this year being a drought year, it is never too early to start preparing your home for wildfire.  

This Wildfire Wednesdays features: 

  • Home Ignition Zone Webinar, March 16th: Protect your Home from Wildfire 

  • A Wildfire Preparedness Day Toolkit from NFPA for planning an event in your community  

Best,  

Gabe 

Home Ignition Zone Webinar: Protect your Home from Wildfire 

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Please join us on March 16th at 6pm mst for a Home Ignition Zone Webinar with guest speaker Captain Jerry McAdams. Through this 1-hour webinar we hope to teach our audience some simple and effective ways to reduce the risk of home ignition from flames and embers. The webinar will take place on Facebook live and will be streaming from the FACNM Facebook as well as partner Facebook pages.  

Our guest speaker, Jerry McAdams, has over 20 years of experience working in the fire service. Jerry is a Senior Captain and NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) for the Boise Fire Department in Boise, Idaho.  

This webinar is part of an interagency campaign to promote wildfire preparedness in 2021, centering around the theme “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round," Fire Adapted New Mexico and will be hosting a monthly webinar series for March, April, and May.  

 

Wildfire Preparedness Day Toolkit from NFPA: Plan an Event in your Community! 

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Wildfires across the United States have cost more than 100 lives and more than $25 billion in property losses in just the last two years. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to improve the wildfire safety of your home and community.  

Put safety first. On the first Saturday in May. Take the first step by participating in Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 1, 2021. There are simple things you can do in an afternoon or over a weekend that research shows will help your home survive a wildfire.  

Plan your project with this toolkit. Inside you’ll find the tools you need to start your own customized project, step by step. Start with a simple checklist. Then explore a list of possible projects. Move on to promoting your efforts, safety tips, funding, and more. Just turn the page. 

To get started, click here.  

Wildfire Wednesdays #43: NMSU Webinar Series - Land Manager Webinar Series - FACNM Virtual Lunchroom

Hi FACNM Members,  

Thank you all for your continued efforts and support toward our goal of becoming better adapted to wildfire. This collective goal of improving our relationship with wildfire is what binds the many different members, leaders, and partners in this network. Through a complex web of reciprocity, networks can achieve impacts that are greater than any individual or organization. To reach this level of reciprocity, we need local leaders to tell us what being fire adapted means in their community, and how they are working towards that goal. If you, or someone you know, is interested in being a part of this conversation, please reach out to me at gabe@forestguild.org.  

This week’s Wildfire Wednesdays features some resources to keep us informed:  

  • The Learning to Live with Wildfire webinar series hosted by NMSU  

  • The Forest Service’s land manager-focused webinar series 

  • FACNM Virtual Lunchroom this Friday: Stay Connected 

Best,

Gabe

Learning to Live with Wildfire Webinar Series 

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This New Mexico State University (NMSU) hosted webinar series takes place every Thursday in March and will focus on how you can prepare for wildfire season. The one-hour sessions start at noon and feature Doug Cram, NMSU extension, as well as numerous guest speakers.  

March 4th: Wildfire! You have 5 minutes to evacuate. What should I do? 

Also: Evacuation? It won't happen to me, right? Lessons learned from the Ute Park Fire. Guest speaker Arnie Friedt, NM State Forestry. 

Register here for Session 1: March 4th 

March 11th: Be Prepared for Wildfire – Proactive steps for individual and family preparedness. 

Also: Identification of insect and disease tree mortality and proper disposal. Guest Speaker Tom Dominguez, Santa Fe County Extension Agent. 

Register here for Session 2: March 11th 

March 18th Be Prepared for Wildfire – Proactive steps to safeguard your home, yard, and neighborhood. 

Also: Technical assistance for private forest landowners. Guest speaker Shannon Atencio, NM State Forestry. 

Register here for Session 3: March 18th 

March 25th: Be Prepared for Wildfire – Special focus on ranches and farms. 

Also: Livestock and wildfire. Guest speaker Ruben Baca, NM Livestock Board. 

Register here for Session 4: March 25th 

Forest Service Land Manager-focused Winter Webinar Series 

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The USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station has been busy hosting a land manager-focused winter webinar series. There is a wealth of information in these webinars and they are all recorded. If you work with a land management agency and would like to stay up-to-date on recent forestry, fire, and natural resource management research, these webinars are a great resource.  

Upcoming: Fire severity: mapping past fires and predicting the future 

March 3rd, 10-11am MT 

For more information, click here. 


Upcoming: Pollinator-friendly plants for restoration 

March 10th,  10-11am MT 

For more information, click here. 

FACNM Virtual Lunchroom  

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photo credit: Ali Lerch

If you have questions, recommendations, corny jokes, or would just like to talk about wildfire, please attend the FACNM Virtual Lunchroom this Friday, February 26th at 12pm.

These monthly listening sessions are an open-format Zoom call where you can connect with other FACNM members, leaders, or chat with the FACNM network coordinator, Gabe Kohler. This is a great place to direct friends, family, or neighbors that are interested in learning more about FACNM or wildfire preparedness more generally.  

Our first virtual lunchroom will take place this Friday, February 26th, from 12 - 1pm. To join the virtual lunchroom, click here.  

Ready, Set, Go! Chipping Program Grant (Deadline Extended)

The RSG! Program has funding available to support fire and emergency response agencies with demonstrated wildland fire risk in their response area. A max of $25,000 per department is available to help RSG members cover the cost of department staffing, equipment rentals, and/or contractual services. This funding cannot be used on equipment purchases or fuels reduction work performed on property (ex: limbing, cutting).

The new deadline to apply is next Friday, February 26, at 5 PM ET.

For more information, click here.

Please contact gabe@forestguild.org if you, or someone at your local fire department, may be interested in working together on this application.

Wildfire Wednesdays #42: Wildfire Wednesdays Live - Home Hardening Basics - FACNM Virtual Lunchroom

Hi FACNM Members,

February is a great time to show your home some love. Take some time to identify vulnerable areas that need to be addressed before a wildfire appears. And remember, while you may not see the flames, wind can carry hot embers from burning vegetation or other materials at least a mile or more away from an active wildfire.

This Wildfire Wednesday features:

  • Wildfire Wednesday live TONIGHT at 6pm: Fire, Wildlife, and the Mexican Spotted Owl.

  • Start from the top – work down and out: Home hardening basics

  • FACNM Virtual Lunchroom: Monthly forum for open discussion with FACNM coordinator, members, and leaders.

Best,

Gabe

Wildfire Wednesday Live Tonight at 6pm: Fire, Wildlife, and the Mexican Spotted Owl

Join us Tonight, Wednesday the 17th at 6pm on the Fireshed Facebook page for the next live event with Dr. Gavin Jones, Research Ecologist for the USDA Forest Service.

 Megafires are becoming the new normal. How is wildlife responding? How can we better conserve them? Join us for the next Wildfire Wednesday Live event to learn more and chat with Dr. Gavin Jones, research ecologist for the USDA Forest Service.

Dr. Gavin will discuss his research related to fire and wildlife, with a focus on the California and Mexican spotted owl.

Come for the speaker, stay for the interactive Q&A in the chat!

Start from the Top – Work Down and Out: Roofs, Attics, Vents, Skylights, Eaves, etc.

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Start with the top of the structure, work down to the ground, and then work out from there. Click on the links to access specific factsheets from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as well as other reputable sources.

Roofs and Skylights

  • Check your roof. Houses with wood shake or shingle roofs are more likely to be destroyed during a wildfire. If possible, consider installing fire-resistant roofing material, such as asphalt composition shingles, metal, concrete or clay tile. A damaged roof with missing shingles and plastic skylights can also give hot embers from a wildfire an easy entry point. Maintain flat roofs, ensuring no cracks or exposed sublayers exist.

  • Clear your rain gutters, flat roofs, and valleys in pitched roofs. Remove pine needles, leaves, or other materials that may have accumulated over the winter. Embers can easily ignite in dried out debris.

Attics and Vents:

  • Check your vents. Consider changing out standard ¼-inch mesh with 1/8-inch metal wire mesh (if building codes and required air flow allow) to prevent wildfire embers from penetrating attics, eaves, and crawl spaces. Keep vents clear from debris and do not plant shrubs underneath or in front of vents.

Eaves and Walls:

  • What about walls? Replace exterior wall coverings that are combustible, susceptible to melting, or can readily transmit heat with noncombustible or fire-resistant materials.

  • Windows can be a weak point. Dual-paned windows with tempered glass will resist greater fire intensities than single pane windows.

Decks:

  • Clean your deck. Remove debris from under your deck and from the gaps between deck boards. Replace wooden lattice with properly vented solid skirting or with 1/8-inch wire mesh to keep embers out.

Landscaping:

  • Don't store firewood, gas cans, lawn mowers, cardboard or other combustible materials next to your home. Move these items at least 5-feet away from the outside walls of the house.

  • Landscaping could light up your home. Think about replacing flammable plants with fire resistant species and replace wood chips with decorative rock for ground cover.

FACNM Virtual Lunchroom: Stay Connected!

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If you have questions, recommendations, corny jokes, or would just like to talk about wildfire, please attend the FACNM Virtual Lunchroom. This is a great way to stay connected with the network as we head into the 2021 fire season.

These monthly listening sessions are an open-format Zoom call where you can connect with other FACNM members, leaders, or chat with the FACNM network coordinator, Gabe Kohler. This is a great place to direct friends, family, or neighbors that are interested in learning more about FACNM or wildfire preparedness more generally.

Our first virtual lunchroom will take place on Friday, February 26th, from 12 - 1pm. To join the virtual lunchroom, click here.

Ready, Set, Go! Chipping Program Grant

The RSG! Program has funding available to support fire and emergency response agencies with demonstrated wildland fire risk in their response area. A max of $25,000 per department is available to help RSG members cover the cost of department staffing, equipment rentals, and/or contractual services. This funding cannot be used on equipment purchases or fuels reduction work performed on property (ex: limbing, cutting).

The deadline to apply is next Friday, February 26, at 5 PM ET.

For more information, click here.

Please contact gabe@forestguild.org if you, or someone at your local fire department, may be interested in working together on this application.

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Show your Home Some Love

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February, 11th, 2021 

Contact:         Eytan Krasilovsky, 505-983-8992 ext. 707, eytan@forestguild.org 

For press release: .PDF

For graphics: calendar, talking points.

February 11th, 2021

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Show your Home Some Love

Santa Fe, NM – February 11, 2021 – With most of Northern New Mexico in extreme drought, the 2021 fire season could begin as early as late March or early April. FACNM and The Forest Stewards Guild are working with local, state, federal, and tribal partners and non-governmental organizations to encourage New Mexicans to recognize that in our changing climate, wildfire preparedness must be a year-round effort. In honor of a new 2021 wildfire preparedness campaign with our partners and with Valentine’s Day approaching, our message for February is: show your home some love.

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According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 58,250 wildfires burned 10.3 million acres across the U.S. in 2020, the largest number of acres impacted within a year. As our seasons trend warmer and drier wildfire can happen at any time, which means New Mexicans need to prepare and maintain their homes against the threat of falling embers and flames.

Show your home some love by taking the time to identify vulnerable areas that need to be addressed before a wildfire appears. And remember, while you may not see the flames, wind can carry hot embers from burning vegetation or other materials at least a mile or more away from an active wildfire.

Start with the top of the structure, work down to the ground, and then work out from there.

  • Check your roof. Houses with wood shake or shingle roofs are more likely to be destroyed during a wildfire. If possible, consider installing fire-resistant roofing material, such as asphalt composition shingles, metal, concrete or clay tile. A damaged roof with missing shingles and plastic skylights can also give hot embers from a wildfire an easy entry point. Maintain flat roofs, ensuring no cracks or exposed sublayers exist.

  • Clear your rain gutters, flat roofs, and valleys in pitched roofs. Remove pine needles, leaves, or other materials that may have accumulated over the winter. Embers can easily ignite in dried out debris.

  • Check your vents. Consider changing out standard ¼-inch mesh with 1/8-inch metal wire mesh (if building codes and required air flow allow) to prevent wildfire embers from penetrating attics, eaves, and crawl spaces. Keep vents clear from debris and do not plant shrubs underneath or in front of vents.

  • What about walls? Replace exterior wall coverings that are combustible, susceptible to melting, or can readily transmit heat with noncombustible or fire-resistant materials.

  • Windows can be a weak point. Dual-paned windows with tempered glass will resist greater fire intensities than single pane windows.

  • Clean your deck. Remove debris from under your deck and from the gaps between deck boards. Replace wooden lattice with properly vented solid skirting or with 1/8-inch wire mesh to keep embers out.

  • Don't store firewood, gas cans, lawn mowers, cardboard or other combustible materials next to your home. Move these items at least 5-feet away from the outside walls of the house.

  • Landscaping could light up your home. Think about replacing flammable plants with fire resistant species and replace wood chips with decorative rock for ground cover.

FACNM and The Forest Stewards Guild are working with EMNRD Forestry Division, Santa Fe, Cibola, and Carson National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico to build a 2021 wildfire preparedness calendar and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.

Check out these helpful links for more information:
https://facnm.org/wildfire-preparedness

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/FirePreventionandOutreachProgram.html

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Firewise/Fact-sheets/FirewiseFactSheetsRoofingMaterials.ashx

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Firewise/Fact-sheets/FirewiseFactSheetsAtticsCrawlSpaces.ashx

https://www.firesafemarin.org/images/documents/resources/Vulnerability-of-Vents-to-Wind-Blown-Embers_IBHS.pdf

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The Forest Stewards Guilds and Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico are equal opportunity providers.

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Wildfire Wednesdays #41: CWPPs 2.0 - Talking to Kids about Wildfire

Hi FACNM Members,

The month of February, and into the early spring, is a great time to make some incremental progress on wildfire preparedness BEFORE wildfire season. We're still at the big picture here. Taking simple steps like increasing your knowledge and awareness and making a plan for your family, animals, structure, and property are a great way to get started on the right foot.

This week’s Wildfire Wednesday includes:

  • CWPP 2.0: The Next Generation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans

  • A toolkit for talking to kids about wildfire

Best,

Gabe

 

CWPP 2.0: The Next Generation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans

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For a crash course on CWPPs, see last week’s blog post.

CWPPs have become a key tool for communities seeking to plan for wildfire. However, as time has passed, communities across the country have wrestled with implementation, plan updates, effective communication, engagement strategies and more. In May of 2020, FAC Net convened participants across the country in a CWPP-focused learning group to help connect practitioners to each other and current research. Known as CWPP 2.0, this learning group met monthly from May until December 2020.

For a summary of the themes and takeaways from the CWPP 2.0 learning group, click here.

 

Talking to your Kids about Wildfire

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To help prepare for wildfire while we are indoors due to winter temperatures and covid-19 social distancing guidelines, the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities created an excellent series of weekly tips.  

Preparing for wildfire is a crucial part of living in New Mexico. Given the importance of planning for the whole family, children should not be left out of preparedness conversations. While your kids are home, you can use this time to talk about wildfire science and introduce fun, fire-related curriculum.

General Tips

  • Start the conversation with a video or activity to get your child's attention.

  • Ask your child what they already know about wildfire.

  • Be prepared to repeat information; wildfire can be difficult to understand.

To read the full blog post, complete with videos and activities, click here.

Wildfire Wednesdays #40: CWPPs - Before, During, and After Wildfire - Wildfire Preparedness for those in Need

Hi FACNM Members,  

Wildfire preparedness is year-round. This process involves taking actions to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire. As we head into spring, it is a great time to take actions to prepare for wildfire.  

This week’s Wildfire Wednesdays includes: 

  • Information about Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) 

  • A facilitation guide for Before, During, and After Wildfire from Washington Fire Adapted Communities 

  • A partnership between Habitat for Humanity and FACNM to provide wildfire preparedness assistance to those in need.

Best,  

Gabe 

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) 

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A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a written plan describing wildfire hazards and mitigation measures for a community. In New Mexico, many CWPPs focus at the county scale, but there sometimes individual community CWPPs within the county plan. These plans are authorized and defined in Title 1 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and are an important pre-requisite for numerous wildfire risk reduction funding programs.  

The purpose of a CWPP is to “reduce wildfire risk to communities, municipal water supplies, and other at-risk land through a collaborative process of planning, prioritizing, and implementing hazardous fuels reduction projects.” The CWPP process is ongoing and core teams that write these plans continually work together to update them and to achieve the tasks outlined in the plan.  

Key Points about CWPPs 

  • All community members concerned about wildfire threat are encouraged to participate in the CWPP process.  

  • There is no prescribed format to which a CWPP must conform, and plans vary depending on the objectives and desires of the community.  

  • CWPPs should effectively address local forest and range conditions, values-at-risk, and priorities for actions 

Benefits of a CWPP 

  • Increasing community capacity by working collaboratively and strengthening relationships 

  • Helps establish and define boundaries for the wildland-urban interface, used to identify areas where federal funds may be applied.  

  • Fuel-reduction projects that are identified in a CWPP are to receive priority for funding and implementation by federal agencies 

Does your community or county have a CWPP? What type of plan does your area have, and how long has it been since it was updated? Check New Mexico State Forestry’s listings to find out: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/cwpps.html 

 

Before, During, and After the Wildfire  

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Fire adapted communities understand their risk and are taking action to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire.  

This facilitation guide, created by the Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, is a helpful tool to walk yourself and others in your community identify areas where you may improve your wildfire preparedness. Although it is a difficult time to meet in-person, this facilitation guide may be a conversation starter with your neighbors about how you can work together on wildfire preparedness in the warmer months.  

To view the facilitation guide, click here.  

 

FACNM and Habitat for Humanity Provide Wildfire Preparedness Assistance to those in Need 

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Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico (FACNM) learning network is partnering with Habitat for Humanity (H4H) of Los Alamos and Espanola Valley to provide wildfire preparedness assistance to those in need. FACNM will assist H4H volunteers and program coordinators by providing a Home Ignition Zone training and printed materials to be shared through H4H’s A Brush with Kindness program.  

The A Brush with Kindness program is an exterior home preservation service that offers painting, landscaping, and exterior minor repair services for home owners in need. This partnership will add to this program’s existing services by providing information and resources for reducing the risk of ember ignitions to participating homes.  

If you would like to learn more about this partnership or support this partnership through volunteer capacity, please contact gabe@forestguild.org.  

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Resolve to Be Ready

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January, 29th, 2021 

Contact:         Eytan Krasilovsky, 505-983-8992 ext. 707, eytan@forestguild.org 

For .PDF, click here.

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Resolve to Be Ready

SANTA FE, NM – Jan. 29, 2021 – Recognizing that longer, more extreme fire seasons are likely to continue, the Forest Stewards Guild is working with partners at the Santa Fe, Cibola, Carson, and other National Forests, as well as other agencies and non-governmental organizations to launch a 2021 campaign to promote wildfire preparedness with a different theme for each month of the year. The message for January: resolve to be ready.

The beginning of a new year, when the risk of wildfire is relatively low, is a good time to start thinking about what you can do now to be ready for fire season later. With most of northern New Mexico in extreme drought, the 2021 fire season could begin as early as late March or early April. Start learning about living with wildfire and Ready, Set, Go! principles.

Before January ends, make a few more resolutions:

  • Develop an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact.

  • Take a current photo of you and your pet(s) together in case you get separated during a disaster.

  • Get to know your neighbors and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.

  • Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.

  • Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.

  • Take a class in CPR and first aid.

  • Keep and update emergency supplies, including cash.

  • Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.

  • Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like wildfire and floods. Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes.

  • Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app or check with your city or county government to see if they have an alert and notification system in place.

The SFNF is working with the Cibola and Carson National Forests, Forest Stewards Guild, Fire Adapted NM, New Mexico Forestry Division, and the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office to build a 2021 wildfire preparedness calendar and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness calendar at facnm.org/wildfire-preparedness to follow the campaign throughout the year.

Wildfires threaten hundreds of homes in New Mexico every year, especially in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) where development meets fire-prone wildland vegetation. Studies show that many of the homes lost to wildfire could have been saved by advanced planning and preparation. When wildfire strikes, will you be ready? It’s never too soon to ask yourself that question and start taking steps to protect your home and your family.

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The Forest Stewards Guilds and Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico are equal opportunity providers.

Wildfire Wednesdays #39: Wildfire Preparedness is Year Round - Wildfire Risk Reduction Grants

Hi FACNM members,  

Recognizing that longer, more extreme fire seasons are likely to continue, Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico (FACNM) is working with partners at other agencies, forests, and organizations to launch a 2021 campaign to promote wildfire preparedness with a different theme for each month of the year. The message for January: resolve to be ready.  

This Wildfire Wednesday newsletter features.  

  • Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round Webpage: Resolve to be Ready this January. 

  • New Mexico Counties Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant 

Stay safe and healthy,  

Gabe 

Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round: Resolve to be Ready this January! 

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The beginning of a new year, when the risk of wildfire is relatively low, is a good time to start thinking about what you can do now to be ready for fire season later. With most of Northern New Mexico in extreme drought, the 2021 fire season could begin as early as late March/early April. Start learning about living with wildfire and Ready, Set, Go! principles. 

Before January ends, make a few more resolutions: 

  • Develop an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact. 

  • Take a current photo of you and your pet(s) together in case you get separated during a disaster. 

  • Get to know your neighbors and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan. 

  • Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online. 

  • Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies. 

  • Take a class in CPR and first aid. 

  • Keep and update emergency supplies, including cash. 

  • Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage. 

  • Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like wildfire and floods. Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes. 

  • Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app or check with your city or county government to see if they have an alert and notification system in place.  

Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico (FACNM) is working with The Santa Fe,  Cibola and Carson National Forests, The Forest Stewards GuildNew Mexico Forestry Division, and the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office to build a 2021 wildfire preparedness calendar and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness calendar at facnm.org/wildfire-preparedness to follow the campaign throughout the year. 

Wildfires threaten hundreds of homes in New Mexico every year, especially in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) where development meets fire-prone wildland vegetation. Studies show that many of the homes lost to wildfire could have been saved by advanced planning and preparation. When wildfire strikes, will you be ready? It’s never too soon to ask yourself that question and start taking steps to protect your home and your family. 

New Mexico Counties (NMC) Wildfire Risk Reduction Grants 

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New Mexico Counties is pleased to announce the 2021-2022 Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) Program for Rural Communities. The WRR Program assists at-risk communities throughout New Mexico in reducing their risk from wildland fire on non-federal lands. Funding for this program is provided by the National Fire Plan through the Department of the Interior/Bureau of Land Management for communities in the WUI and is intended to directly benefit communities that may be impacted by wildland fire initiating from or spreading to BLM public land.  

Funding categories include: 

  • Education and Outreach Activities up to $10,000/project 

  • CWPP Updates up to $15,000/project 

  • Hazardous Fuels Reduction Projects up to $50,000/project 

Click here for the 2021-2022 program information, and applications are located on the NMC website: https://www.nmcounties.org/services/programs/ 

Coalitions and Collaboratives Spring Grant Opportunity!

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Get your community started on the right foot this Spring by applying for the Action, Implementation, and Mitigation (AIM) grant through Coalitions and Collaboratives!

This newsletter marks the release of another round of grant funding for increasing local capacity to reduce wildfire risk. The Request for Proposal (RFP) and Concept Paper for the Spring 2021 Action, Implementation and Mitigation (AIM) grant are now live on COCO's website. COCO will be accepting Concept Papers though February 11, 2021 until 5:00 PM MT. Click here for the RFP and instructions. Download the Concept Paper here or from the AIM Grant Page.

To learn more about this funding opportunity, be sure to check out the informational webinar recording will posted on COCO’s website.

We invite you to share this opportunity with colleagues and organizations working on reducing their community's wildfire risk. For more information about Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc., please visit co-co.org.

Wildfire Wednesdays #38: Rx Fire Outreach Toolkit - Tribal Relations Peer Learning Session

Hi FAC NM Members,

This will be our last Wildfire Wednesdays before the holidays. The newsletter will resume on January 6th. As you all know, making our communities safe from wildfire is a year-round, incremental process. With that in mind, please follow along with the Wildfire Wednesday newsletters in the New Year to for step-by-step guidance to get ready for wildfire in 2021.

This week’s Wildfire Wednesdays newsletter features:

  • Put Fire to Work: A toolkit for communicating the importance of prescribed fire as a tool for wildfire resilience

  • Peer learning session Friday 12/18: Utilizing 638 for Tribal Relations and Promoting Tribal Fuels Treatments

Happy Holidays,

Gabe

Put Fire to Work: A Prescribed Fire Outreach Toolkit for Partners and Practitioners

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We are very excited to feature Put Fire to Work in this week’s Wildfire Wednesday. This user-friendly toolkit created by the Washington Prescribed Fire Council is a great resource for finding effective messages about the importance of prescribed fire as a tool for community wildfire resilience and forest health. The site features message templates as well as step-by-step guides for developing outreach that will be effective for the particular context that you live or work within.

In addition to the outreach content stored on this site, the site’s user-friendly layout is noteworthy. Digital toolkits like this serve help to take the extra work out of social media outreach and new-media approaches. We have added a link to Put Fire to Work on the FAC NM webpage and would like to create and/or compile more communication tools similar to this.

Click here to check out the Put Fire to Work website.

If you use the Put Fire to Work toolkit, don’t forget to show them your appreciation on social media.

Utilizing 638 for Tribal Relations

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Peer learning session on Friday, December 18th, from 1:30 – 3pm MST.

Click here to register.

Sponsored by the National Partnership Office and hosted by The National Forest Foundation.

During this peer learning session, attendees will:

  • Meet the new Director of the Forest Service Office of Tribal Relations,

  • Gain an understanding of the “638 self-determination demonstration authority” granted to the Forest Service in the 2018 Farm Bill,

  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between 638 and the Tribal Forest Protection Act,

  • Have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.

Suggested Audience:

Forest Service employees, tribal partners looking to implement projects through 638, and natural resource collaborators

U.S. Forest Service Speakers include:

  • Reed Robinson, Director, Office of Tribal Relations;

  • Alicia-Bell Sheeter, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Tribal Relations; and

  • Alison Leiman, Grants Policy Specialists, Business Operations.

This session will be recorded and a link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants. If you are unable to attend the peer learning session but are interested, please register to ensure you receive the follow-up email.