Santa Fe County, in collaboration with the City of Santa Fe and PNM, will hold a Wildfire Awareness Town Hall on August 20, 2025. The event is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion, located at 1607 Paseo de Peralta.
The town hall will begin with information booths from various agencies, followed by a moderated discussion starting at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will address wildfire preparedness, evacuation readiness, utility safety protocols, and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.
Rosemary Romero, a mediator with experience in water, environmental, and forest issues in New Mexico, will facilitate the panel. Panelists include Wes Gray (Vice President of PNM Operations & Engineering), Scott Overpeck (Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service), Jacob Black (Santa Fe County Fire Chief), Porfirio Chavarria (City of Santa Fe Wildland Urban Interface Specialist), Brad Call (Santa Fe County Emergency Management Director), and Kyle Morgan (City of Santa Fe Interim Emergency Management Director).
Attendees can speak directly with experts and access resources aimed at protecting homes and communities from wildfire risks.
“This town hall is more than sharing wildfire preparedness strategies; it’s an opportunity to strengthen our community through interagency planning and continued investment in a safer, more resilient region. Every step we take together towards wildfire preparedness is an act of service in protecting our homes and landscapes for future generations,” said Jacob Black, Santa Fe County Fire Chief.
Additional information about wildfire safety can be found on the following websites:
– https://www.pnm.com/wildfire-safety
– https://www.santafenm.gov/wildland-fire-preparedness
– https://www.santafecountynm.gov/fire/wildland
For further details or questions about the event, contact Jeff Buell, Director of PNM Corporate Communications.
