Saturday, March 29, 2008

Spring brings increased fire danger

No additional restrictions have been made yet, fire marshal said

Evelyn Cronce El Defensor Chieftain Reporter,ecronce@dchieftain.com

    National Interagency Fire Center Predictive Services earlier this year predicted above normal fire potential gradually increasing in our area, beginning in April and lasting through June.

    It started early.

    Red flag warnings went into effect on March 26 for the Middle Rio Grande, from Albuquerque south, with critical fire weather patterns Wednesday and Thursday, and returning Saturday.

    "It's looking bad, but it's not that bad yet," said Socorro County Fire Marshal Fred Hollis.

    Hollis said there are no additional fire restrictions yet. He said people should use common sense and not burn on a red-flag day, when the winds are up.

    "We know agriculture needs to burn this time of year," he said. "Get it done early before the winds kick up, and be careful. Have as many people there as possible just in case it gets away from you."

    Hollis said the state smoke statue requires that anyone burning call their local fire chief before they burn. He said, if the local fire company can not be reached, the County Fire Marshal's Office may be called as an alternative.

    The weather service said their outlook is based on a climate outlook calling for a drier and warmer weather pattern in these areas through the extended outlook period.

    "The line runs from Raton to Silver City," Hollis said. "Socorro is right on the line. We could get moisture and have an easy fire season or we could get the high winds that dry us out."

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