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SANTA FE, N.M., May 12, 2026—May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and Santa Fe County is bringing together agencies and organizations from across New Mexico for Wildfire Education Day to boost the community’s emergency preparedness. This free event takes place Saturday May 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hondo Fire Station #2, 645 Old Las Vegas Highway.

Wildfire Education Day will provide information and resources about how to prepare, including what you can do to protect your property, what to include in your “go bag,” evacuation zones, lots of giveaways and handouts, property insurance information, kid friendly activities, and more.  

County participants include Santa Fe County Fire, Fire Wildland Division, Regional Emergency Communications Center, Growth Management and Office of Emergency Management. New Mexico State participants include the Forestry, Fire Marshal, Department of Health, Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management divisions, and the Office of Superintendent of Insurance. Plus, the nonprofit Forest Stewards Guild will offer sign-ups for free wildfire risk assessments for homes in the Greater Santa Fe Area and information on grant program eligibility.

New Mexico State Forestry will share its Ready Set Go program, focusing on how to pack a go bag in case of emergencies and how to protect your property before a fire starts. 

“Defensible space is perhaps the most critical part of wildfire preparation, and a lot can be done with just a little effort. Look to clean up leafy or pine debris on your roof and gutters and remove any vegetation within the five-foot zone of the walls of your home. What you're really looking to defend from is embers, the tiny flaming pieces of vegetation that are carried by the wind. Embers are the leading cause of home ignitions, but we can all take steps to protect our property and our families,” said George Ducker, New Mexico State Forestry Division Prevention & Communications Manager.

The Office of Superintendent of Insurance will share information about the Wildfire Prepared Home program—an important resource to protect homes and businesses against wildfire and provide an avenue to lower insurance rates. Learn what OSI does and how they can help New Mexico constituents, how to file a consumer complaint, and more.

Santa Fe County will have digital maps to help visitors find evacuation zones and assistance to sign up for Alert Santa Fe.

For more information, contact Santa Fe County Emergency Management Coordinator Kyle Elliott at 505-428-3102. 

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