Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal
By MIGUEL NAVROT
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
TIJERAS, N.M. — Authorities are bolstering patrols in the Sandia Mountains after dousing the fourth suspected human-caused forest fire there since February.
Less than a day after snuffing two fires west of Sandia Park, authorities said they suspect that a person — not nature — sparked the blazes. Officials said they weren’t certain if the fires were arson.
The fires burned near Doc Long Picnic Area, scorching about an acre of forested canyon land, temporarily closing nearby N.M. 536 and scaring nearby residents.
“We do know it is humancaused,” Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said Wednesday. “That is certain.”
The U.S. Forest Service suspects humans have sparked four small-scale fires in the area, agency spokeswoman Karen Takai said, including the two sparked Tuesday named Mystery 1 and Mystery 2.
The others, Takai said, include a February blaze north of Carnuel and an April fire that burned near Balsam Glade Picnic Area less than a mile north of Sandia Peak ski lodge.
Caretakers for this patch of Cibola National Forest worry that a wildfire could bring massive damage to drought-stricken forest areas and surrounding village properties.
To prevent accidental wildfires, county authorities have banned outdoor smoking, barbecuing and related activities in unincorporated areas. This month, county lawmakers are expected to approve a temporary ban on fireworks.
With Wednesday’s announcement of stepped-up patrols, officials also urged area residents to prepare for the worst.
“New Mexico always has a fire season,” Takai said. “You have to take personal responsibility.”
Mountain residents are urged to clear brush from their homes, draw up evacuation plans for children and pets, and have necessary items like documents and medications ready to go.
“I can’t remember a time when the fire danger was this extreme,” White said.
Wednesday, firefighters amended their damage estimate of Tuesday’s fires. Just one acre, not five acres, burned, Takai said.
The two fires may have been sparked in two different areas at the same time, a telltale clue of arson. Another possibility, officials said, is that the first fire touched off the second one with a flying ember.