Hi Robert,

I checked with the city and they responded to you.

This is what they said.

Wanda

  • remember to be vigilant, cautious, and careful when it comes to ensuring cigarette butts are disposed of properly and open flames, like candles, grills, burning incense, etc., are used correctly and not left unattended — James DeFillippo, Rio Rancho Fire Chief

 

Our thoughts are with the victims and the first responders dealing with the fires burning throughout our state, it is understandable that our citizens are concerned about the risk to our city and community.

Rio Rancho has a lot of open space, this area included, which means that there is natural vegetation that grows and dies with the seasons and environment. Completely removing this vegetation can create other issues — erosion, blowing sand, etc.

It is important for our citizens to remember to be vigilant, cautious, and careful when it comes to ensuring cigarette butts are disposed of properly and open flames, like candles, grills, burning incense, etc., are used correctly and not left unattended.

Discarded cigarette butts and unattended open flames can cause serious damage to life and property even in non-drought conditions. The Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue Department stays at the ready to respond in the event we are needed for emergencies to include a wild land strike team trained to mitigate open space and Bosque fires.

James DeFillippo
Rio Rancho Fire Chief

 

The original question to Wanda:

Hi Wanda,

Behind my house in Enchanted Hills there is a lot of dry brush and I am concerned about wildfires. It’s a fire hazard behind my house. The brush and the bushes are really dry and I called the city.

They came out and said they are just going to wait to see if these bushes are going to turn green. They aren’t going to turn green. It’s a fire hazard from Santa Fe Hills to the Home Depot. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, the whole thing is going to go.

Some of the brush is right next to the fence line. I’ve been around forest fires. This stuff here will go. I am scared.

Robert Martinez