Temperatures are high. Winds are strong. Humidity is low. These conditions perfectly set the New Mexico stage for wildfires.

“Fire and weather officials [including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham] this week have expressed their concern over the effect high winds, hot temperatures and dry conditions could have on fires in New Mexico,” states an article published in the Santa Fe New Mexican. The term “potentially historic fire weather” has been used to describe current conditions throughout the state. 

A day after Governor Lujan Grisham asked, US President Joe Biden approved her request for wildfire disaster relief for Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel and Valencia counties. According to a KRQE News 13 report, emergency crews already have “feet on the ground” and “nearly 200 households have already received some level of financial assistance.”

Wildfires In Lea County

Zeroing in on Lea County, the US National Weather Service office in Midland, Texas says, “Fire weather concerns will increase for the weekend and beyond with drier conditions in place and above normal temperatures.” 

The weather service also warns that thunderstorms, similar to the one near Lovington on Tuesday that brought with it “Quarter-sized hail and damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH”, are also a likelihood. Folks are advised to stay indoors and away from windows during these storms.

County First Responders Keep Wildfires at Bay

Although no serious incidents have been experienced, small wildfires have plagued Lea County during the month of May. First responders have been successful at keeping all at bay and preventing their quick expansion into a major wildfire.

On Wednesday, May 4, 1833 acres burned in the Caprock area off of Highway 380. Voluntary evacuations were made of nearby ranch houses. With zero visibility, workers fled the area. The Lea County Office of Emergency Management states on its Facebook page that oilfield equipment, fences and power lines were damaged.

On Sunday, May 8, a grass fire along US Highway 62/180 was contained by the teams from the Maljamar and Monument Volunteer Fire Departments and Lea County Emergency Management. Only about 15 acres burned.

On Tuesday, May 10 a grass fire was wiped out at Querecho and Texas Camp Road in Buckeye. Some 13.5 acres were burned. The Maljamar Volunteer Fire Department, the Lovington Fire Department, Lea County Emergency Management, as well as the Lea County Road Department and the Lea County Sheriff’s Office responded. Water tankers were provided by Trinity and Pate Trucking, and “up to 12 oilfield personnel were on the scene with shovels – assisting in stopping the spread,” reports Our Lea County on its Facebook page.

Then on Thursday, May 12, another small grass fire broke out on Highway 457. Ranchers acted quickly and stopped the fire before it expanded into something much more serious. Even this small incident required significant manpower. The Maljamar and the Tatum Volunteer Fire Departments, the Lovington Fire Department and the Lea County Sheriff’s Office all responded.

The quick and efficient actions of Lea County’s fire departments, police and road departments and first responder force have proved and will continue to prove crucial in minimizing the damage resulting from area wildfire incidents. Local residents often help, too

Protecting Your Home and Yourself

According to New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), homeowners “living near a natural area of forest or grassland” should take the following preventative steps:

• Remove trees and large shrubs closer than 30 feet to a home.

• “Create 10 feet of space between adjoining trees’ outermost branches. Prune lower branches of remaining trees up to 10 feet off the ground.”

• Remove young trees and shrubs planted close to larger trees. The young trees “could carry a ground fire into the tops of large trees.”

• Keep roofs and gutters clean. Remove all flammable material like pine needles and leaves.

• Store firewood and other flammable material at least 50 feet from the house.

• Use fire resistant materials for construction and landscaping.

• “Screen openings under decks and attic and foundation vents.”

As Schylar Fort Farnum states on the Lovington Fire Department’s Facebook page, “Nobody thinks a grass fire is a big deal until it threatens your livelihood.” When it does the EMNRD reminds people to:

• “Stay calm.

• Call 911 to report a fire.

• Cover all eave and roof vents.

• Cover large picture windows with plywood.

• Close all windows and doors; open drapes.

• Evacuate to a safe location.”