Michael Santisitevan

Public Relations Coordinator 

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative 

office 575.758.2258 cell 575.779.7888

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                      

March 05, 2025                                                                                                                          

KCEC Forest Fire Mitigation Update: March 05, 2025

Taos, NM - Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) actively monitors weather conditions in our region and throughout the state. KCEC is tracking the restrictions implemented by the Carson National Forest, New Mexico State Forestry, and the Bureau of Land Management. KCEC is taking necessary precautions to reduce the risk of forest fires within our service territory.

"Our crews are working around the clock to ensure our infrastructure's reliability and our communities' safety. We recognize that preparing for fire season requires a year-round mindset, so our communities are ready for potential forest fires and extreme weather events," says KCEC CEO Luis A. Reyes Jr.

KCEC crews will continue their work on all circuits (including mainline and taps) on March 3, 2025. They will focus on tightening all hardware, such as hotline clamps, transformer connections, cross-arm braces, and secondary connections to the weather head on service drops. Additionally, crews will check the fuse sizes for all taps and the sizes and counts of the Overcurrent Relays (OCRs). A separate crew will be assigned to measure and count all OCRs installed at the Arroyo Hondo, Los Cordovas (with REA and Ranchitos circuits completed), and Talpa Substations. The following circuits will continue with crews performing tree trimming and operation maintenance in March:

·      Petaca/ Las Tablas

·      Rodarte 

·      Lake View Pines 

·      Ojo Caliente 

·      Twining 

·      Ranchitos 

·      Cabresto Canyon 

·      Costilla 

KCEC has completed work in the following areas: 

·      Canon Plaza 

·      Idlewild

KCEC operates approximately 3,100 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines, as well as 2,500 miles of fiber optic lines within its service area. The majority of these lines are located on tribal lands, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property, and forest service land. KCEC crews are actively working in areas prone to outages to enhance the reliability and safety of the electrical and internet systems.

KCEC is actively collaborating with UNM-Taos, Taos County, Carson National Forest, the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, and NM State Forestry to disseminate important information and resources for our communities. KCEC and these organizations have identified key resources we would like to share with our members and their families. Attached are links that can be beneficial for members and their families.

Essential Fire Resources and Information 

Taos County Wildfire Plaza Website - Taos County Wildfire Plaza is a place for people to share news, information and resources related to forest and watershed restoration and wildfire risk reduction.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WILDFIRES - Wildfire risk reduction steps that can make your home safer during a wildfire

Fire Prevention Programs - Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide

Ready, Set Go New Mexico -This page has information about embers, insurance, Ready Set Go, and other aspects of fire prevention and education.

 Living With Fire page

 Ready Set Go page

"To prepare for an emergency, ensure your go bags are ready and know the proper escape routes", advises Bobby Lucero, Taos County Emergency Management Director.

It is important for our members to be well-informed and prepared for upcoming extreme weather events in the region. The more we can educate ourselves as communities, the better we will respond to such events. Effective alignment and communication will ensure our communities are ready. 

In conclusion, KCEC is seriously concerned about members who require life-saving medical devices, medication, and support. We want to ensure that those dependent on powered medical devices are never left without access during emergencies. Please contact our offices if you need electricity or internet services to operate your medical devices.

KCEC is in development of three microgrid projects in its service area, aiming to provide up to 32 MWh of additional battery energy storage systems for enhanced reliability and resilience. These projects are expected to be operational by 2026. The primary objectives of these microgrids include: 

·      Provide life-saving reliability for residents with medical needs

·      Support first responders and emergency services

·      Mitigate catastrophic utility-ignited wildfires 

·      Ensuring that small businesses, schools, and local economies continue to operate

·      Creating well-paying jobs in clean energy infrastructure

To see more, please visit kitcarson.com

KCEC thanks Taos County, Carson National Forest, BLM, NM State Forestry Division, Town of Taos, Taos County Chamber of Commerce, and UNM Taos for their collaboration. It's a joint effort to keep our communities safe.

For federal employees facing separation from employment, we are here to help. KCEC understands the financial challenges you may encounter during this difficult time. We want to assure you that, to avoid disconnection of your electric, internet, or propane services, it is essential to contact KCEC, KCI, and KCP to establish a payment arrangement. To qualify for one-time credits, please respond to KCEC, KCI, and KCP by March 31, 2025. For more information, visit our website or call the KCEC offices.

For further information, please contact CEO Luis Reyes at lreyes@kitcarson.com or COO Richard Martinez at rmartinez@kitcarson.com. Visit us at kitcarson.com for more details.