Dear Residents, Property Owners, and Business Owners: 

The Village of Taos Ski Valley is experiencing drought conditions as are many areas of the western United States.  The Village intends to adopt a proactive approach to this matter, especially considering the dire predictions for the coming summer. 

The Village of Taos Ski Valley proposes to become recognized as a “Firewise Community”.  The goal is to promote community-wide participation in the use of technology, policy and practices that minimize the loss of life and property to wildfire, independent of firefighting efforts. 

In order to qualify as a “Firewise Community” and to be entitled to grant monies, the Village must provide and comply with the following:

1)      A State Forestry Assessment of the Village of Taos Ski Valley
This has been completed.
2)      The creation of a “Firewise” Board of Directors
We are looking for members to assist.
3)      The establishment of a “Firewise Community Education Day”
This will be an annual event coinciding with our annual “Cleanup Day” in the spring.
4)      Community Action Plan
This is being developed.
5)      The Firewise Board of Directors will be responsible for acquiring available funding and developing relationships with regional partners (i.e. the U.S. Forest Service, NM State Forestry Division, etc.) 

The Committee is also recommending the purchase of a siren system, as a method of notifying residents, visitors and businesses in the event of a wildfire. 

The Mayor, Village Council, Village Staff and the Public Safety Committee urge you to assume accountability for your property holdings.  All property owners are strongly encouraged to attend and be involved in the “Firewise Community Education Day” in the spring.  If you are unable to attend, www.firewise.org can be very informative.  Overgrown properties, dead/dying trees, and underbrush close to a dwelling are issues to be resolved.  There is the possibility of grant monies to assist you.  The Village staff has a list of contractors that you may hire to do the labor for you.  Your full cooperation is imperative to insure protection of your property and your neighbors’ properties as well.  Spring is the ideal time to begin your project. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and participation. 

Contact List for Firewise Thinning

D & M Enterprises, Mark Watrin   505-350-8179
PO Box 3274
Taos, NM 87571
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Keay Construction, Kevin Keay        575-770-1514            kevkeay@gmail.com
PO Box 904
El Prado, NM 87529

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Magpie Farm, Bobby Haque                        575-776-1149            bobbyhaque@gmail.com
PO Box 366                                       575-779-1349 (cell)
Arroyo Seco, NM 87514

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Nature’s Logic Defensible Space   575-770-9911            natureslogicds@gmail.com 
Rachel and Ted Lucero

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New Mexico Tree Care, Inc.                       575-776-5914           stichnor@gmail.com
Steve Tichnor
PO Box 585
Arroyo Seco, NM 87514

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Rock N Snow, Bill Engle                   575-586-1875           billengle@newmex.com
PO Box 1148                                      575-779-6917 (cell)
Questa, NM 87556

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Tarzan’s Tree Trimming Service    575-770-6947
Steve Noriega

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TSV Saws                                           575-779-4352           kei@skitaos.org
Kei Braun
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Watershed Landcare, LLC               575-751-4314            nmwatershed@gmail.com
PO Box 2529                                     575-770-0112 (cell)
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

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