SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 5

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2003

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE FORESTER TO ASSESS THE WILDFIRE DANGER IN NEW MEXICO AND REPORT HIS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE AT THE NEXT REGULAR SESSION IN 2004.

     WHEREAS, the current wildfires in California have destroyed nearly six hundred thousand acres of forest and meadows, incinerated one thousand six hundred homes and killed sixteen people; and

     WHEREAS, the Los Alamos fire three years ago destroyed more than four hundred homes; and

     WHEREAS, wildfires have destroyed homes in Ruidoso and Alto and have charred the land in Taos and other areas of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico may be experiencing the worst drought in more than one hundred years; and

     WHEREAS, the mountains around Santa Fe and other parts of the state are covered with dead and dying pinon and ponderosa pine trees that constitute a severe wildfire hazard;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state forester, with the cooperation of the state fire marshal, be requested to assess the fire potential and wildfire conditions around the state and to report his findings and recommendations to the legislature during its next regular session in 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the state forester, the state fire marshal and the governor.

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