Pastor Dewey Note: The mismanagement of forests is not only a problem in California, it is a mess all over America. Smoke from California wildfires has become a huge problem in New Mexico, it is now a yearly occurrence. It is very, very unhealthy! Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other material. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease , and children , pregnant women, and responders are especially at risk. How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your HealthFGGAM News received this news release late Monday:
NM State Senator William Sharer Urges Attorney General to Sue USFS and State of California for Wildfire Damage in New Mexico
FARMINGTON – Today, Senator William Sharer (District 1-San Juan) issued a letter to Attorney General Hector Balderas urging him to file a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service and the State of California for damages caused by the recent wildfires. The letter notes that New Mexico bears a disproportional burden because of the continued poor air quality resulting from the smoke.
“New Mexico is done paying for the gross mismanagement of forests by the State of California and the federal government,” said Senator Sharer. “Someone must be held to account for the damage to our lungs, the desecration of our public lands, and the release of dangerous emissions into our atmosphere. We know that the way we manage forests has been an utter failure, yet the vast forests across our nation—especially in California—are overgrown and ripe for tragedy. It is unreasonable to presume that climate change can be solely responsible for wildfires without a negligent overlooking of the facts. We need better forest management and I urge Attorney General Balderas to stand up for New Mexico and pursue this fight.”
