Otero County Emergency Services

08/21/2026

Flood Risk Alerts - Watch/Warning/Emergency

The National Weather Service uses three different flood alerts to communicate flood risk. Here’s what each one means and how to respond:

🟡 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱.
A Flash Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding. Heavy rain may cause rapid flooding in low-lying areas, on burn scars, in arroyos, along streams, and on roadways. Residents should stay alert, monitor weather updates, and be prepared to act quickly if conditions worsen.

🔴 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
A Flash Flood Warning means flash flooding is occurring or expected to occur soon. Immediate action is needed to protect life and property. Move to higher ground, avoid flooded roads, and follow instructions from local officials.

🟣 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗢𝗪!
A Flash Flood Emergency is the highest level of flash flood alert. This is issued for catastrophic, life-threatening flooding causing significant danger to human life.

Situations that may trigger a Flash Flood Emergency include:
- Local emergency manager has confirmed rapidly rising water is placing, or will place, people in a life-threatening situation.
- Water is expected, or has already rapidly risen, to levels where people in normally safe locations during typical flooding events are now in danger.
- Multiple swift-water rescue teams have been deployed due to flooding of unusual magnitude.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱!
Don’t wait for a weather event or an emergency, make preparedness part of your routine. Review, restock, and remain aware for every season and every situation.

𝗥𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆!
Visit our OEM (Office of Emergency Management) webpage for Emergency Preparedness resources and information: https://www.ruidosoready.com

🗣️ Share this information with family, friends, and neighbors. Especially with those who may not have access to Facebook.

08/21/2026

It's that time again! Fire Prevention Day is coming soon!

Join the Sparkys and CVFD on September 26, 2026, for an amazing parade and on to the Cloudcroft Pavilion, where we will have demonstrations and fun for the whole family!

See you soon for the 2026 Fire Prevention Day in Cloudcroft, NM.

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

Chaparral residents please take advantage of this day.

08/18/2026

A new high pressure system over the Four Corners will bring near record high temperatures (relative to mid-to-late August) for the Borderland for the foreseeable future.

08/18/2026

🚒 ANNUAL HOSE TESTING — DISTRICT 9 🚒

Today, Otero County Fire & EMS District 9 members are completing our annual fire hose testing.

Every section of hose carried on our apparatus is inspected and tested to make sure it’s ready to perform when our firefighters—and our community—depend on it.

Annual testing is an important part of staying prepared, safe, and ready for the next call. Maintenance, testing, training, and preparation never stop.

A big thank you to Otero County Fire District 3for allowing us to use their pad to complete our annual testing. We appreciate the continued cooperation and support between our county fire districts!

🔥 District 9 — Ready When Called.

08/18/2026

🚒 Happy National Volunteer Firefighters Day! 🚒

Today, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the incredible men and women who volunteer their time to protect and serve our communities.

Our volunteer firefighters sacrifice countless hours away from their families, jobs, and personal lives to train, respond, and be there when their community needs them most. Whether responding to a structure fire, wildland fire, medical call, accident, rescue, or any other emergency, they answer the call.

Being a volunteer firefighter takes dedication, courage, compassion, and a willingness to serve others—often without expecting anything in return.

To all of our volunteer firefighters throughout Otero County and beyond, THANK YOU! ❤️

Thank you for answering the call, for putting in the long hours, for continuing to train, and for always being willing to help your neighbors.

Your service, dedication, and sacrifice make a difference every single day. 🚒❤️