VIDEO: National Wildfire Awareness Week winds down Saturday, but Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Cabinet Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst, State Forester Laura McCarthy and interagency partners emphasized the importance of raising awareness in New Mexico. Speaking at the Bosque School in Albuquerque, Propst emphasized the week’s theme of, "Prevention today for protection tomorrow." “Emergency preparedness is a responsibility shared by everyone," Propst was quoted in a release from state forest. "We encourage all New Mexicans to be proactive in their communities by preparing their homes, land and businesses now, before wildfire occurs.”
This year to date, 99 percent of the fires in the state occurring on state and private land were human caused, said State Forester Laura McCarthy.
“You and I can change the pattern of unwanted wildfires by taking steps to educate ourselves and taking precautions," she said.