Our Land

An aerial view of a burned area in colorado.

Building Public Trust in the Forest Service

9.22.23 – In the third and final segment of their conversation, Our Land Senior Producer…

A group of people sitting around a table in an interview.

New Fire Protocols

9.22.23 – In the second of a three-part conversation, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus…

2022’s Historic Fire Season

9.22.23 – This week on New Mexico in Focus, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus…

An image of a river with mountains in the background.

NM’s Water Challenges Are ‘Significant’

9.8.23 – Our Land’s Laura Paskus spoke with New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Director Hannah…

Is a Settlement on the Rio Grande Coming Soon?

8.4.23 – After the relatively wet years of the 1980s and ‘90s, New Mexico’s reservoirs…

A person is digging a hole in the ground.

New Mexico Journalists Detail Long-Lasting Dangers of Cluster Bombs

7.21.23 – In July, the Biden administration publicly announced its decision to send cluster bombs…

Two women sitting in chairs in front of a sunset.

Writing as Healing

6.16.23 – In Michelle Otero’s latest book, Vessels: A Memoir of Borders, she tackles a…

A view of a marshy area with mountains in the background.

Flooded with Life: Albuquerque’s Oxbow

6.9.23 – This spring, the Rio Grande is ripping along, flush with snowmelt and boosted…

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Chaco Landscape in the eastern Navajo nation.

‘Status Quo’ Reigns When it Comes to Chaco Protections

10.21.2022 – On the eastern Navajo Nation, oil and gas development has affected the land,…

Without Rights, NM’s Rivers Can Come Up Empty

10.14.22 –In New Mexico, rivers lack rights to their own waters, which mean that when…

Protecting Chaco Requires Commitment From ‘All Levels’

10.07.22 – For more than a decade, a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups, along…

An image of Erica Gies next to the cover over her new book "Water Always Wins."

Environmental Journalists newest book ‘Water Always Wins’

09.23.22- In her new book, “Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and…

High school science teacher, Sergio Torres, talks to Laura Paskus virtually through zoom.

New Mexico Science Teacher Receives Grant

09.23.22- Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus speaks with a high school science teacher from…

An orange sunset with a bird silhouette flying through the sky.

Heat Waves and Bird Deaths

9.2.2022 –Worldwide, heat waves are increasing in severity and frequency. University of New Mexico Professor…

Climate Change Impacts Hit Home for NMPBS

8.26.2022 – This summer, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in northern…

A portrait of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury in front of a New Mexico landscape background.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury on Water & Climate

8.12.2022 – In late July, three water bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM,…

A portrait of Senator Martin Heinrich on top of a New Mexico landscape.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich discusses Climate Legislation

8.12.2022 – Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, talks about climate change legislation, as well as gun…

Concern Over Nuclear Disposal Plan

7.29.2022 – As former chair of the New Mexico State Legislature’s interim committee on Radioactive…

A vulture sitting on a piece of tree in the middle of the dry Rio Grande.

Ecosystem Impacts of River Drying

7.29.2022 – As drying in the Middle Rio Grande expands this summer, how will that…

An aerial shot of a plume of smoke from a fire. Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service.

Climate Change ‘Outpaced’ Fire Protocols

7.22.2022 – It’s been a devastating fire season in New Mexico, with hot, dry, and…

NM Gun Owner Calls for Reform

7.15.2022 – Gun sales are growing, especially as manufacturers target customers with marketing about personal…

Middle Rio Grande Water Update

07.01.22- Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus explores the harsh realities of shrinking water supplies…

Impact of Fire & Floods on Acequias

6.24.2022 – Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with executive director of the New Mexico Acequia…

A baby Mexican Wolf wrapped in a blue towel.

Wildfire’s Impact on Mexican Wolves

6.17.2022 – More than 20 years ago, in 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service…

Reporting Challenges During Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

6.17.2022 – Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with two reporters about their experiences…

‘Bleak’ Outlook for Middle Rio Grande Water Supply

6.9.2022 – Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus explores the harsh realities of shrinking water supplies…

Additional Fire Resources

Resources mentioned during the show:

U.S. Forest Service’s National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy

U.S. Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy

U.S. Forest Service investigation of the Cerro Pelado Fire

FEMA’s Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

Santa Fe National Forest

“The Federal Government Accidentally Burned Down Their Houses, Then Made It Hard to Come Home” By Patrick Lohman with Source NM for ProPublica

Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Landscape Restoration

How to learn more about wildfires when they’re happening:

For fire locations and details about individual fires: InciWeb

New Mexico Fire Information: NM Fire Info & NM Fire Info on Facebook

National Interagency Fire Center – Fire News

If the fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land, search the name of the forest to find updates. Many of the forests, such as the Santa Fe National Forest, also have active Facebook pages.

NOAA Fire Weather information and alerts (to see things like red flag warnings for your area)

Fire and Smoke Map

New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method (for determining if smoky conditions in your area are unhealthy)

How to learn more about protecting your home and community:

Community Wildfire Protection Plans in NM (includes guidelines and information on creating one, as well as links to plans for communities across the state)

Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide (New Mexico) (for information on protecting your home, being ready to evacuate, and making a personal wildfire plan for your home)

En sus Marcas, Listos, Fuera! Su Guia de Accion (Spanish)

Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network

NM State Foresty, Fire Prevention Programs

NM State Forestry: Protecting your home from wildfire

NM State Forestry: Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones

Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner (English)

Firewise USA: Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks (National Fire Protection Association)

State of New Mexico Prescribed Burn Certification Program

Past Our Land shows related to New Mexico wildfire:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX-Gj22wAC46YnLfxBPo5ek7CxXB4_eOE