New Mexico Governor Urges Wildfire Prevention

Gov. Susana Martinez says conditions are in place for another difficult fire season in New Mexico.

The governor kicked off Wildfire Awareness Week on Tuesday by urging residents to be prepared and do their part to prevent fires.

State officials say New Mexico has already had 75 wildfires so far this year, and more than 2,200 acres have been charred. At this time last year, more than 200 fires had burned nearly 114,000 acres.

New Mexico also recorded the two biggest fires in state history last year with the Las Conchas and Donaldson fires.

Martinez says agencies have worked to train hundreds of firefighters in wildland skills since last season. They have also identified grant funding for equipment and have been teaching landowners how to reduce their wildfire threat through land treatments.