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Public safety is the highest priority for the fire management team on the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fires. 

Evacuation decisions and implementation are ultimately the responsibility of the County Sheriff’s Offices. In the photo, the San Miguel County Sheriff (center, blue polo), two Santa Fe County representatives (left, black shirts), and a Incident Management Team representative (far right, dark blue sweatshirt) work together to identify communities at risk from the fire.

Communities at risk are notified via text message (recipient’s location is determined which cell towers are nearby), radio, social media, and government websites.  When a community goes into “go” status, the Sheriff’s Office also conducts door-to-door, in-person notifications.

“Ready status” means that residents should take actions that include creating a family evacuation plan, assembling an emergency kit, and knowing locations of gas, water, and electric shutoffs in your home.

“Set status” informs community members it is time to take actions to protect their families and properties, and to help firefighters succeed.  This includes monitoring fire weather and evacuation updates closely, alerting neighbors, keeping an emergency kit ready, and bringing combustible door mats, lawn furniture, etc indoors. 

“Go status” means it is time to evacuate to a safe location.  Leaving as soon as possible is not only safest, it also reduces road congestions, helping nearby communities get out, and firefighters get in.  Identify alternative routes in case of road blockages, have a pre-identified destination, and bring your emergency kit.

A full action guide is available in the New Mexico Read-Set-Go Guide: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/FINAL-new-mexico-RSG-guide-2017_000.pdf