On Friday evening, June 8, 2012, Sun Valley, Little Creek and La Junta subdivisions started getting warning calls through emergency notification systems, either Lincoln County’s CODE Red or Ruidoso’s E911Emergency Notification System. The calls informed everyone to evacuate the area by 1 a.m. By early Saturday morning the subdivision was empty of all residents. Only firefighters had a presence in the area.
With the help of some fantastic firefighters and a change in wind direction, all structures within the Sun Valley Water & Sanitation District escaped being burned. But, because of the fire still raged in the forest surrounding us, we stayed evacuated for eight days. Being kept away from our home for that length of time was a traumatic experience for most of us.
So there are three things we encourage every one with a home in SVW & SD to do, to be prepared for the upcoming fire season. Yes – it can happen again. Just look at the drought, beetle-kill trees, and little snow this winter (which also means no snow pack to melt and fill the rivers), PLUS a not too optimistic forecast for any moisture anytime soon. All these things implicate a risk for wildfire.
#1. If you own a home here, even if you do not live here full time, sign up on the web with Lincoln County CODE Red at https://www.onsolve.com/landing/sign-up-for-codered-emergency-alerts/
Also, since we are close to Ruidoso, sign up for Ruidoso E911Emergency Notification System at www.CallMeRuidoso.com
You may sign up for both notification systems. You will get calls at whatever number you provide, which may be here in Alto or at your primary home elsewhere. The emergency system will automatically call landlines in the area of the emergency. For example - it will call all numbers starting with 336 here in Sun Valley. Or providing a cell phone number allows you to get calls anywhere.
#2. Know what you need to take in case of an evacuation.
Evacuating During a Wildfire
When wildfires ignite, they can spread very quickly. It's important to know how to evacuate and what to bring with you.
If wildland fires threaten your area, listen to your radio or television for reports and evacuation information (Code RED and E911), and follow the directions of local authorities.
Every home and workplace/vehicle should have a basic disaster kit. This kit is specific to the needs of you and your loved ones.
The Five P’s of Immediate Evacuation: • People and Pets – And other livestock, too • Papers – Important documents • Prescriptions – Medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids • Pictures – Irreplaceable memories • Personal Computer – Information on hard drives and disks
Before the Fire: • Collect valuables, important documents, medications and other personal items in one place and ready for evacuation. • What you can fit into your vehicle is what you can take. Make priorities by determining what is replaceable and what is not. • Maintain a disaster supplies kit. This includes a first aid kit, emergency tools, a battery-powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, extra car keys, credit cards, water and non-perishable food. Also consider blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. • Determine your need to have coverings for windows and skylights to increase fire resistance. Have these coverings readily accessible. • Have a means of transporting pets and livestock readily available. • Make sure the needs of children and any elderly or disabled family members are met. • Clearly post your name and address, so it can be seen from the street. • Establish and practice a family evacuation plan and a meeting location. Determine who you will notify about your evacuation. Determine where you will get fire updates. (Code RED and E911 both called during the Little Bear Fire with updates and public meeting notifications. This was also how we found out we could go home finally.)
When Fire Is Nearby: • Park your vehicle facing out. Put your valuables in the car. Place the car keys where you can find them quickly. • Dress appropriately. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief. • Confine or secure pets to one room or area. Prepare them to be transported.
If you have time: *Move all flammable furniture (including outdoor furniture) to the center of your home. *Close all your curtains. Heavy curtains will help deflect heat. Flimsy curtains may easily catch on fire and are best pulled down. *Clear a firebreak around the buildings. *Shut gas off at the meter. (Only a qualified professional can safely turn the gas back on.) *Turn off propane tanks. *Wet down your shrubs close to structures. *Wet down your roof and above ground fuel tanks. *Be sure to turn your outside faucets back off before you leave to conserve water for the firefighter later.
• Keep your electricity on and leave some lights on. When you leave, tie a bandana on your door knob to let the officials know you have left. They also recommend leaving the doors unlocked, but obviously this is up to you. When advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Chose a route away for the fire hazard and be alert to changes in the speed and direction of the fire and smoke.
#3. Fire Prevention Tips: *Take care with flammables. *Mow grass short. *Keep weeds trimmed. *Rake pine needles and leaves. *Clear away refuse. *Keep firewood away from structures, electric lines and rights-of-ways. *Allow your electric co-op, Otero County Electric Co-op (575) 336-4550, to keep power lines and rights-of-ways free of trees and shrubs. *Clear dead trees and limbs from your property. *Trim lower limbs of the trees up off the ground. *All home owners receive up to 12 yards of yard waste pick up as a service you pay for through Greentree Solid Waste Authority. *Trim dead or dormant shrubbery away from houses and out buildings. *Make a family evacuation plan. Have a meeting place in case you are separated at the time of the fire. The phone service was out all day June 9, both land and cell phone. This is why it is important to establish a meeting place. *Have an inventory of home valuables in a fireproof box.
!!If you own property in SVW &SD that does not have a structure on it – be a courteous, conscience owner. Keep your property free of dead or dying trees. Keep the wild grass and weeds trimmed and the pine needles raked. Call Greentree Solid Waste Authority (575) 378-4697 for information to dispose of your yard waste!!
Side note on the Little Bear Fire: Sun Valley Water installed a solar panel system to run their wells in April, 2012. When the power went down Saturday, June 9, because of the wildfire, our solar panels kept the water pumping and running the water system for the firefighters. The real fight with the wildfire on the borders of Little Creek and Sun Valley happened that day. You have some very forward thinking neighbors on your water board. We need to thank them for their time and effort.
During the days we were evacuated, Joe Buchanan, our system operator at the time, was here in Sun Valley every day making sure water was available to the fire fighters. We thank him for his dedication to his job.
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