Picture by Lydia Haley Crandall
FGGAM NEWS just received this news release from Governor Martinez’s office:
Governor Susana Martinez Directs State Agencies to Begin Recovery Plan for Dog Head Fire
NM Agencies Will Work With Local, Federal, and Private Partners to Help Communities Recover
Santa Fe, NM — Today, Governor Susana Martinez announced that she has directed the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with other state agencies involved in the coordinated response to the Dog Head Fire, to begin developing a recovery plan to assist affected residents and communities in cleaning up and repairing from the disaster.
“Our firefighters and other first responders are working very hard around the clock to protect lives and property in response to the Dog Head Fire,” Governor Martinez said. “As they continue to make progress in fighting this devastating fire, we must also prepare for its aftermath – cleaning damaged watersheds, forests, and other lands, repairing infrastructure, and addressing critical needs in affected communities. I’ve directed our state agencies to work with local, federal, and private partners to begin the process of identifying what affected communities need in the aftermath, and what resources we can bring to the table to help.”
DHSEM will work with other state agencies involved in the response to the Dog Head Fire, including the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the State Police, as well as federal partners, local and community organizations, and the business community to evaluate needs and plan for recovery of the affected communities in the aftermath of the fire. Elements of the planning will include cleanup of damaged land and watersheds, infrastructure needs such as energy and utilities, and other critical needs requiring attention.
This announcement comes as New Mexico awaits the federal government’s response to Governor Martinez’s request for technical assistance, damage assessments and recovery planning data from numerous federal partners to include the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration for the areas and communities affected by the Dog Head Fire. This assistance and support will help determine the actions and resources required for the short and long term recovery to our communities in the aftermath of the fire.
These are the latest in a series of actions from Governor Martinez as part of the continuing coordinated response to the Dog Head Fire. Governor Martinez has activated the New Mexico Emergency Operations Center, and declared a state of emergency to enable counties to order and pay for additional resources needed to help with this emergency. State agencies such as the New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico State Police, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, New Mexico State Forestry, and others are assisting with the response to the fire.
The Governor recently directed the New Mexico National Guard to take extra measures to secure evacuated communities with additional guardsmen patrolling communities to assist our law enforcement authorities to stop threats of looting. Governor Martinez also recently announced that the state has secured a federal fire management assistance grant that will cover 75 percent of the cost of fire suppression and other costs associated with the firefighting and community protection operations.
Governor Martinez continues to receive regular briefings on the coordinated response to the Dog Head Fire, and has been on the ground in affected communities every day since Wednesday, attending public meetings, meeting with first responders, surveying damage, and helping to serve meals to evacuated residents, firefighter and other first responders. Yesterday, Governor Martinez spent time with firefighters at the fire perimeter to see the devastation firsthand, and on Thursday, the Governor joined the New Mexico National Guard for a flyover of the affected areas to survey the damage.
The Dog Head Fire is affecting areas of Bernalillo and Torrance Counties, and has burned nearly 18,000 acres since it was first reported on June 14, and it has destroyed more than twenty residences so far. Nearly 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel are involved in the coordinated response to the fire.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JIC Release #5
June 21, 2016
CONTACT
JIC: Karen Takai
Department of Health: David Morgan
New Mexico Department of Health Outline Precautions for a
Safe Return Home Following a Wildfire
Estancia, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) advises residents to take precautions when returning to your home following a wildfire.
“Returning home and beginning the cleanup after a wildfire will not be easy. We want your return to be a safe one for you and your family,” said Secretary of Health Lynn Gallagher.
The Department of Health advises residents to take the following precautions when returning home after a wildfire.
First, only return to your home if the fire marshal or local fire authority says it is safe. Second, make sure the air is clear enough for you to be in the area:
- Continue using the 5-3-1 Visibility Method to decide if it is too smoky for you, your children, or loved ones to be outside or to return to the area.
o Even if the smell of smoke is apparent, the air quality may still be good. As a rule of thumb, if visibility is over five miles, the air quality is generally good. However, no matter how far one can see, if individuals are having health effects from smoke exposure, they are advised to take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality and to also see a doctor or healthcare professional as needed.
- Avoid using your swamp cooler when the smoke levels are higher than normal and use re-circulated air if you are in a vehicle. Get tips for staying cool at nmtracking.org/en/health_effects/heat-stress/.
- If there is smoke and other particles in the air and you are entering your home, you need to wear an N‐95 particulate mask while sifting through debris. Do not rely on dust masks or wet handkerchiefs to protect your lungs. Get a factsheet about masks at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Next, be prepared and cautious when returning home.
- Look out for charred trees and power poles that may be unstable including live power lines that may be on the ground; avoid spot fires and smoldering debris including live embers.
- Wear boots, long pants, and a long‐sleeved shirt when entering your home.
- Check for hazards before going inside your home such as the smell of gas.
- Temporarily turn off the electrical power.
Get more tips for safely returning home at: nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/smoke-fires-your-home/.
Power may have been out during the wildfire. Take precaution with food stored in refrigerators or freezers.
- If the power has been out for several days then check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below, then the food is safe.
- If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, then the food is safe.
- Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after four hours without power.
Remember: when in doubt, throw food out. For more information on wildfires, visit the New Mexico Department of Health website at www.nmhealth.org.
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Matt Kennicott
Director of Communications | NM Department of Transportation | Office of the Secretary
O: (505) 827-5526
