A WARNING TO NEW MEXICANS THAT THE FIRE DANGER IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW IS HIGH. DAN WARE WITH THE STATE FORESTRY DIVISION SAYS A PATTERN OF WARM, DRY CONDITIONS HAS SETTLED INTO THE STATE … WITH TEMPERATURES 5 TO 10 DEGREES HIGHER THAN USUAL THIS WEEK. HE SAYS IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH, BUT COMBINED WITH A LACK OF MOISTURE AND GUSTY WINDS, IT RAISES THE FIRE DANGER IN GENERAL.
WARE SAYS THE FIRE DANGER IS HIGHEST ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE STATE AND IN THE SOUTH. BUT HE SAYS IT DOESN'T MEAN FIRES CAN'T START ELSEWHERE. AN 11 ACRE FIRE FLARED UP ALONG THE BOSQUE NEAR LOS LUNAS ON JANUARY 4TH.
THE FIRE DANGER IS DUE TO ALL THE RAIN WE GOT DURING LAST YEAR'S MONSOONS THAT CAUSED GRASS AND BRUSH TO GROW … THEN DRY OUT WHEN CONDITIONS CHANGED.
