BLM NM Transfers Fire Engine to White Oaks Fire District

On January 20, BLM New Mexico transferred a fire engine to White Oaks Fire District (FD), located in Lincoln County, New Mexico, through the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program. The transfer took place at the Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services in Ruidoso. The White Oaks FD and Lincoln County have a strong working relationship with the BLM Pecos District, responding to wildfires on or threatening BLM-managed lands.

BLM New Mexico Associate State Director Steve Wells joined State Fire Management Officer Craig Goodell and Acting District Fire Management Officer Nathan Curnutt in presenting the keys to White Oaks Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Chief Robert Cranston.

Cranston said, “On behalf of the fire department and the residents of the White Oaks Fire District, we thank you and greatly appreciate your donation of the 2013 Ford Brush Truck. The truck will enhance our firefighting abilities and provide better fire protection for our area.” ​​​​​​​

The RFR program was developed to provide firefighting equipment to local cooperators at no cost. Stocked with necessary equipment for fire suppression, the transferred engine can quickly be put into use by the volunteer fire department.

“We want to thank the White Oaks Fire Department for their long-term contributions to wildland fire response in Lincoln County and their strong partnership with the BLM. We are pleased be able to assist them in those efforts by conveying this engine to their fire department,” said BLM State Fire Management Officer Craig Goodell. “It is these essential partnerships that help provide for a safe, efficient and effective wildfire response across the State of New Mexico.” ​​​​​​​

White Oaks Fire District personnel have completed necessary wildland fire training and regularly respond to wildfires under agreements with the State, greatly assisting the BLM in both wildland-urban interface areas as well as remote locations.

Lincoln County has experienced numerous large wildland fires over the past two decades and fire risk is high in many parts of the county. This is the third fire engine transferred by BLM New Mexico in the past year. The other two were strategically placed with Animas Fire Department to cover an area known as the “Boothill” (southwest New Mexico, near Arizona) in Hildago County and at Wild Horse Fire Department in west-central New Mexico in Catron County.

For more information on the RFR program, visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness-program)