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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Editorial: Let's All Strive to Prevent Fires

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    Spring has sprung and with it comes the wind.
    The wind brings some benefits, but in Estancia Valley and the East Mountains it does a good job of sucking the moisture out of the air and out of the ground.
    This, in turn, leads to high fire danger.
    There already have been several grass fires in the valley, which, fortunately, didn't result in the loss of any homes. In addition, the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts are keeping a close watch on the forests and could soon institute restrictions.
    While we hear news reports that the spring run-off will be high this year, what is missed is that the Manzanos and Sandias didn't get the amount of snow pack this year that mountains in northern New Mexico did.
    Last November, more than 7,000 acres burned in the Ojo Peak fire. Seven structures were destroyed in that fire and evacuations were conducted.
    Living in and enjoying the mountains is special, but we need to work together to keep the mountains from burning. The Forest Service has implemented thinning projects, but residents and visitors also need to use some common sense. A wildfire can start from something as simple as a cigarette butt or a campfire that isn't extinguished all the way.
    As that great New Mexican Smokey Bear says, "Only you can prevent wildfires."