SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health is urging New Mexicans to consider air quality safety and wildfire preparation in response to wildfires in the state – particularly in the Lincoln and Otero County areas where the Village of Ruidoso and the lands of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
“Breathing in smoke can aggravate conditions such as asthma and other chronic lung diseases, as well as cardiovascular disease,” Heidi Krapfl, Acting Director, Center for Health Protection for NMHealth, said. “Poor air quality can also create unsafe driving conditions in areas directly impacted by the fires.”
On June 18 the Village of Ruidoso reported that evacuation orders remain in effect for: Chatto Bluff, Apache Summit, Fantasy Lane, homes along Highway 70 from Highway 244 to the east Reservation line, Bear Canyon, and Snow Canyon.
With distance from wildfires, comes the ability for people to better protect themselves and their health as it is affected by smoke. Justbecause someone can’t smell the smoke, or it doesn’t smell too bad, that doesn’t mean the air quality is safe. Here are a few quick tips:
• Know the conditions nearest you by seeking out detailed information about specific fires as reported online at https://nmfireinfo.com/.
• Where smoke is a factor, staying indoors is one of the best things you can do. Check the air quality in your area by visiting https://fire.airnow.gov/
• When you don’t have an air monitor in your area, use the 5-3-1 Visibility Method to estimate the air quality and the actions you should take based on your health circumstances and age. Facing away from the sun, look for landmarks such as mountains, mesas, hills, buildings, water tanks, windmills, etc. that are about five miles, three miles and one mile away. Use those mile ranges to help you estimate visibility.
• Pay attention to local air quality alerts to plan your day and travel. Air quality reports are available through local news media and social media.
• Keep your indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.
• Avoid using swamp coolers when possible. During smoky conditions, they pull air from outside directly into your home.
• For more information on fire, smoke and health, visit NMHealth’s Environmental Health Tracking page.
