Don’t Wait for Raining Tacos: New Mexico Agencies Stress Early Action During Wildfire Evacuations

As portions of the Gila National Forest remain closed following the Hummingbird Fire, emergency officials across New Mexico are reminding residents that understanding evacuation terminology before an emergency begins can save valuable time when wildfire conditions deteriorate.

And in at least one recent public outreach campaign, state officials used tacos to make the point.

In a Cinco de Mayo-themed preparedness post shared by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, officials explained the difference between a “watch” and a “warning” using taco ingredients and fully assembled tacos.

“A watch means the conditions exist that could cause severe weather soon,” the agency wrote in its social media preparedness campaign. “A warning means weather is happening now, and you need to take action.”

The graphic humorously depicted a “Taco Watch” as a table full of ingredients — tomatoes, tortillas, lettuce, meat and avocado — while the “Taco Warning” side showed fully prepared tacos ready to eat “NOW.”

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Behind the playful presentation, however, is a serious message emergency officials repeatedly stress during wildfire season: preparation matters, and waiting too long to act can quickly become dangerous.

The state also uses the “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation system during wildfire emergencies. In a preparedness graphic distributed by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office, residents are urged to understand the different stages of evacuation before an emergency unfolds.

Under the system:

• READY means residents should prepare family evacuation plans, identify meeting locations and assemble emergency kits.
• SET means conditions are worsening and families should prepare for possible evacuation while closely monitoring alerts.
• GO means it is time to evacuate immediately and leave for a safe location outside the evacuation zone.

The guidance also reminds residents to bring pets, medications and emergency supplies during an evacuation and not return until evacuation orders have been lifted.

Wildfire specialists with New Mexico State University echoed that message in the university’s wildfire preparedness publication, Wildfire Evacuation Checklist: The 10 Ps. 

The publication, authored by Extension specialists Douglas Cram, Suzanne DeVos-Cole, Sidney Gordon and Gabe Kohler, notes that wildfire evacuations often unfold with little warning, making advanced preparation critical.

“When it comes time to evacuate a home, apartment, or residence due to the threat of an impending wildfire, there is often little time to contemplate what to take and what to leave,” the publication states. 

The guide organizes evacuation priorities into a memorable “10 Ps” checklist intended to help reduce panic and improve decision-making during emergencies.

The list begins with the most immediate priorities: people, phones and prescriptions or medications. The guide also emphasizes planning ahead for pets, important papers, photographs, personal computers and irreplaceable keepsakes.

“Lost pets and pictures are the top two items cited by individuals experiencing fire loss as things they wish they could get back,” the publication notes. 

The publication repeatedly emphasizes the importance of evacuating early instead of waiting until flames are visible nearby.

According to NMSU Extension specialists, many residents incorrectly picture wildfire movement as a single advancing “wall of flames.” In reality, wind-driven fires can spread through embers and spot fires far ahead of the main blaze, potentially cutting off escape routes with little notice. 

“Takeaway message: evacuate early,” the publication states in its discussion of wildfire spread. 

The guide also cautions residents against trying to defend homes during fast-moving wildfire conditions with garden hoses or last-minute preparations.

“There are numerous steps individuals can take to harden their dwelling and yard to the effects of wildfire and embers,” the publication explains, “however, these actions are most effective when used proactively in the years and months leading up to fire season, not in the minutes or hours before an evacuation.” 

Emergency officials recommend residents sign up for local emergency notification systems, familiarize themselves with multiple evacuation routes and prepare emergency kits before wildfire activity intensifies later in the season.