We d like to caution people to be fire wise and fire safe this weekend, says Dolores Maese, Santa Fe National Forest Public Affairs Officer. The winter moisture was a welcomed relief, she added, but not enough for our forests to fully recover from the drought of the last 5 years. She cautions people about having a false-sense of security on account of the winter moisture. There are no fire restrictions or closures at this time on the Santa Fe National Forest due to cool night-time temperatures and the moisture we ve received lately. This has kept fire danger on the Forest at a moderate level, but that can quickly change.
Forecasts call for warmer weather, and gusty winds with dry lightning through the weekend.
This type of weather, along with a careless match or abandoned campfire could be the recipe for a catastrophic fire. Most wildfires are caused by people, so we all have a part in preventing them, said Maese. Dry grass, leaves or pine needles. Make sure that all the burned material has been extinguished and cooled. If you have extinguished the materials they will be cold to the touch.