These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Find out how cold it is at home
You can ask"Do you have any wood or heat at home right now? Is anyone there very old, very young or sick?"
You can ask"Do you have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm?"
If someone is very cold, confused or not making sense, call 911.
If the home has no heat tonight, see the guide "No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hot".
At the Gospel MissionAsk staff about blankets and warm clothes from the clothing bank.
2Get help paying for wood
LIHEAP (energy help) can be used for firewood, not just gas or electric bills.
NM Health Care Authority - Income Support Division (Grant County office)
LIHEAP energy assistance
1-800-283-4465
3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City · Lobby Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, closed 12:00-1:30 pm for lunch. Phone line (1-800-283-4465) Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm.
Bring
- ID, proof of income for everyone in the home, and a receipt or written price from the wood seller
NM Health Care Authority
Office of Fair Hearings: appeal a SNAP, Medicaid, cash aid or LIHEAP decision
505-476-6213
P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe · Business hours
3Cut their own wood in the Gila National Forest
A personal firewood permit costs $2 per cord. The smallest permit is 10 cords for $20.
Gila National Forest - Supervisor's Office
Firewood cutting permits ($2 per cord)
575-388-8201
3005 E Camino del Bosque, Silver City · Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30 (closed federal holidays); permits sold year-round
Buy it at any Gila National Forest office. You must be 18 or older.
Carry the permit and fill out the load tags. Tie the tags to the back of every load.
Cut dead trees only, unless you are in a marked green-wood area. Never cut in campgrounds, trailheads or wilderness.
Bring
- A truck, chainsaw, axe, shovel, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and a friend
Gila National Forest - Supervisor's Office
Forest camping rules, fire restrictions and closures
575-388-8201
3005 E Camino del Bosque, Silver City · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
4Use the wood stove safely
Burn only dry wood that has sat for 6 months or more. Wet wood makes smoke and creosote, which can start a chimney fire.
Never burn trash, cardboard, plastic, or painted or treated wood.
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from the stove.
Have the chimney cleaned before winter, and check it during the season.
Put ashes in a metal can with a lid. Set it outside, away from the house.
Never heat the home with a gas oven, a charcoal grill or a camp stove. These can kill with carbon monoxide.
Roaring sound, sparks or flames from the chimney? Get everyone out and call 911.
See the guide "Smells gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is going off".
5Get free smoke alarms and a warmer home
American Red Cross - Arizona and New Mexico Region
Free smoke alarm installation (Home Fire Campaign)
800-733-2767
Grant County Office of Emergency Management
Free smoke alarm installation
575-574-0065
1400 Highway 180 E, Silver City
Weatherization (sealing drafts, insulation) helps the wood last longer.
Southwestern Regional Housing & Community Development Corp.
Free home weatherization for low-income households
575-546-4181
109 E. Pine St., Suite 5, Deming · Weekday business hours
Stove or chimney broken? See the guide "Needs home repairs, a ramp, or a safer home".
More help like this
Got a utility shut-off noticeUse when someone got a past-due or shut-off notice for electric (PNM), gas (NM Gas Company), or town water, sewer or trash.Can't pay the water or propane billUse when someone is behind on a water, sewer or trash bill, or is out of propane (or about to be) and can't pay for a fill or delivery.Needs help with a utility deposit or bad creditUse when someone is moving in and the power, gas or water company wants a deposit they can't pay, or they have an old utility balance or bad credit blocking new service.The power is out and someone needs it for oxygen, medicine or heatUse when the power goes out, a line is down, or a long outage is coming, and someone depends on oxygen, a breathing machine, cold medicine like insulin, or heat or cooling.Told to boil water, or the water is off or unsafeUse when there is a boil-water notice, the water is shut off or looks or smells wrong, or water may be unsafe after a flood or broken pipe.No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hotUse when someone has no heat at home, is outside in freezing weather or extreme heat, or can't pay for heating.
See all guides in Housing and bills →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
Know a better way? Is something out of date?
If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.