Prepping in Albuquerque
Albuquerque's fire risk runs right through the city along the Rio Grande bosque, and smoke from New Mexico's big mountain fires can settle over the valley for days.
- Wildfire and smoke
- Extreme heat
- Flash floods
Sign up today
The official Albuquerque alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- ABQ AlertSign up for ABQ Alert
The City of Albuquerque's official emergency alerts for severe weather, wildfires and hazardous materials, by text, email or voice. Sign-up uses a free Smart911 profile.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in Albuquerque
- Wildfire
- Bosque fires along the Rio Grande can threaten nearby homes, and the foothills border the Sandia Mountains.
- Wildfire smoke
- Smoke from large fires elsewhere in New Mexico, like the record 2022 Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fire, can make the air unhealthy.
- Extreme heat
- Summer heat waves make outages dangerous.
- Flash floods
- Monsoon storms send water rushing through arroyos within minutes.
- High winds and winter storms
- Spring winds spread fire, and occasional snow and ice cause outages.
What that means for your plan
Never enter arroyos during or after storms. They fill with fast-moving water in minutes.
Keep N95 masks for smoke days, and a go-bag if you live near the bosque or the foothills.
Plan to stay cool without power, and keep two weeks of water.
Do these first, in this order
- ABQ Alert
Wildfire and evacuation alerts.
Radios and communication guide - Go-bag with N95 masks
For fire evacuations and smoke days.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - Two weeks of water
Basic insurance in a dry climate.
Water storage and filters guide - Power station
Fans and medical devices through outages.
Power stations and generators guide - First-aid kit
Heat illness and burns.
First aid and medical guide - Warmth without power
For winter storms.
Lighting and staying warm guide
Questions
How do I get emergency alerts in Albuquerque?
Sign up for ABQ Alert, the city's official alert system, through a free Smart911 profile, and keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on.
What is a bosque fire?
A fire in the cottonwood forest along the Rio Grande. These fires can spread quickly and threaten nearby neighborhoods.
How ready is your Albuquerque home?
The quiz weights every item for suburbs risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.