Prune Your Trees for Those Hotter Degrees!

SANTA FE, NM – Recognizing that longer, more extreme fire seasons are likely to continue,
preparing our homes, properties, and communities for wildfire is more important than ever.
The 2022 Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round campaign provides monthly wildfire
preparedness tasks that follow the changing seasons. The February message from the Energy,
Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Forestry Division and its partners is
Prune Your Trees for Those Hotter Degrees!

Removing trees and other vegetation from around your home can have a positive effect on how
flames and embers will behave in the event of a wildfire. This month, follow the guidance of the
National Fire Protection Association to prepare your Home Ignition Zone for wildfire.
Preparing your home ignition zone may involve removing some trees to increase the horizontal
spacing between trees as well as removing lower branches to increase the vertical spacing from
the ground to the canopy of the trees. Removing trees completely to increase horizontal
spacing can be done at any time of the year. However, the late winter month of February is a
particularly good time to increase vertical spacing by thinning lower branches because trees are
dormant in the winter, making them less susceptible to insects or disease.

The following guidelines can make even first-timers feel confident they won’t damage their
trees:
• Learn about your specific vegetation by exploring NMSU Extension’s Yard and Garden
page, or by reaching out to a Soil and Water Conservation District near you.
• Start with sharp pruners, loppers or a saw.
February 1, 2022
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• Remove any branches that are crossed over or rubbing.
• Remove all damaged or dying branches that look diseased.
• Dispose of wood offsite or safely burn it, especially if wood may be diseased.

The New Mexico Forestry Division is working with the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National
Forests, Forest Stewards Guild, Fire Adapted NM, New Mexico Association of Conservation
Districts, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management
New Mexico State Office to continue our wildfire preparedness calendar in 2022 and share the
message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events.
Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.