Colfax County hears push to update wildfire plan as emergency manager warns of low snowpack
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Summary
A Somerset Watershed Alliance representative urged Colfax County to apply for a $30,000 New Mexico Counties grant to update the county's Community Wildfire Protection Plan; Emergency Management warned the county's snowpack is far below normal, increasing fire risk and prompting plans for exercises and coordination.
A representative of the Somerset Watershed Alliance asked Colfax County commissioners to support updating the county's Community Wildfire Protection Plan, citing a New Mexico Association of Counties grant opportunity of about $30,000 and a recommended five-year update cycle. Rick, who said his group developed the current plan in 2022, said the grant would allow the county to start the update on the state fiscal year schedule (beginning July 1) and complete it within a year. He asked the commission to place a letter of support on a future agenda if the grant requires formal backing.
County Emergency Management Director Tom Vigil told commissioners the county is facing an elevated wildfire risk after a sparse winter season. Vigil said basin snowpack is around 25% of normal (down from about 57% last year) and gave site examples: Tollby Meadows measured 2.2 inches of snow and the North Side of Castilla 0.9 inches, figures far below seasonal expectations. He said a full-scale WIP TREX exercise involving local fire departments is planned for next month and called for coordination with the fire marshal, state forestry and other mutual-aid partners.
Why it matters: Updating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan establishes priorities for fuel treatments, mutual-aid procedures and homeowner outreach; in a low-snow year, those priorities affect preparedness and potential eligibility for mitigation funding. Commissioners and staff discussed support for outreach and for placing a formal letter on the agenda when Rick supplies a draft.
Details: Rick said the update grant would be administered through New Mexico Counties and is roughly $30,000. Vigil warned that regional snowpack conditions are well below normal and said "if there's not a fire here, there's gonna be a fire in the West," urging readiness. Commissioners offered to help advertise homeowner preparedness steps and flagged potential funding to support public education work tied to mitigation.
Next steps: Rick will provide a draft letter of support to County Manager Cheryl Navarette if one is required. Vigil said county emergency staff will continue preparedness work ahead of the coming fire season.
