Santa Fe Standard

Santa Fe County is organizing its first Wildfire Mitigation and Preparedness Community Education Day on March 29, 2025. The event will take place at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This initiative, held in collaboration with local and state partners, aims to provide residents, homeowners' associations, and property owners with essential information and resources for wildfire preparedness.

County officials, wildfire experts, and emergency response partners will offer guidance on several key areas. These include Smart 9-1-1 & Emergency Alerts, where attendees can learn how to sign up for real-time notifications and expedite the processing of 9-1-1 calls by providing confidential information in advance.

Another focus area is Firescaping and Home Wildfire Assessments. Participants will learn how to reduce wildfire risk by selecting less flammable plants and creating defensible spaces around homes. The Santa Fe County’s Wildland Fire Team will also offer on-site evaluations.

The event will cover Evacuation Planning with expert guidance on evacuation zones and family emergency plans. Sustainable Landscaping techniques such as green infiltration galleries will also be discussed.

Volunteer Opportunities within local fire districts will be highlighted alongside Interactive Activities for Kids & Families focused on fire safety.

The day features presentations from several partners including the Santa Fe County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Regional Emergency Communications Center, Sustainability Division, City of Santa Fe Fire Department, NM State Fire Marshal with Department of Homeland Security, and the New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.

"Mitigation and preparedness are key to reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire events," said County Manager Gregory S. Shaffer. "This event is designed to empower residents with knowledge and tools needed to protect their homes, families, and neighborhoods from wildfire threats."

Residents are encouraged to attend this important event as part of proactive steps toward wildfire mitigation.

For more details visit santafecountynm.gov or contact Ignacio Dominquez at idominguez@santafecountynm.gov.