Emergency – Dial 911
Non-Emergency (575) 588-0014
Brazos Canyon Volunteer Fire Department
Emergency – Dial 911
(BCVFD) was organized in 1998 and sanctioned by the State of New Mexico in 1999.
The department comprises approximately 16 active firefighters and 9 auxiliary members, all of whom serve in unpaid volunteer roles. The department is led by Fire Chief Catherine Sanchez-Praiswater, with Jake Collison serving as the Assistant Chief. Brian Gallagher holds the position of Secretary, while Robert Bookwalter serves as Treasurer.
Volunteer firefighters play an essential role in providing emergency services in our rural community. In New Mexico, volunteer firefighters account for almost 85% of the fire service workforce, and nationally, this figure exceeds 70%.
The department extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed time and resources to support BCVFD and wildfire mitigation efforts in the BCVFD district.
Brazos Canyon Volunteer Fire Department is active in community involvement in educating the District’s landowners on mitigation—defensible space strategies. The department was a recipient of two large grants for wildfire risk mitigation. The first was a Wildland Urban Interface grant with the New Mexico State Forestry Department (NMSFD). The NMSFD identified Brazos Canyon as one of the top communities in the state most at risk from catastrophic wildfire. The second grant comes from meeting all of the requirements of developing a FireWise community or program. This FireWise USA® program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters.
Brazos Canyon Volunteer Fire Department is recruiting new
members. Please join the department and serve our community in the capacity of firefighter, or limited duty firefighter. Please contact
a BCVFD member or call (575) 588-0014 or click this link for more information and to apply.
If you would like to volunteer in the department but you do not want to be a firefighter then think about joining as an auxiliary member. The auxiliary members are community landowners who make delicious foods and desserts and assist with the department’s fundraisers and social events. Please call or email Chief Sanchez-Praiswater or Captain Brian Gallagher for more information on the BCVFD’s Auxiliary.
The Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating for the department is 6/6X. This rating is granted after a thorough inspection by the State Fire Marshal and is determined by the department’s firefighting capabilities (active members, apparatuses, equipment, water sources and availability, training, etc.). The BCVFD has two designated main stations: one located in the Brazos Canyon, and the other in the Ponderosa area. The primary funding for the department comes from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and is based on the number of main stations and the overall equipment in the stations.
On March 14, 2026, a BCVFD district-wide burn ban was instituted by the BCVFD due to severe drought conditions and other adverse weather factors. This ban will remain in effect until lifted at the
discretion of the Chief or Assistant Chief of the Brazos Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. The burn ban will be re-assessed August 9, 2026.
Brazos Fire District Residents are invited to our Open House & Appreciation Dinner on July 18th from 4:30 – 7:00
Please be advised that we are currently under fire restrictions imposed by New Mexico, Rio Arriba County, and the Brazos Canyon Fire District.
HC75 Box 92, Chama, NM 87520
Emergency – Dial 911
Non-Emergency – 575-588-0014
E-mail – BrazosVFD@rio-arriba.org
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