Yes, every year New Mexico has fires, but never in my memory have we had a year like this. There are 4 burning that are large enough to be mentioned on the news, but probably many more smaller ones.
Just let me say that J. Robert Oppenheimer's idea to have a lab in the middle of the mountains so he could be near his ranch and hike was a bad one. I have no clue what toxins would be released into the air if the lab did actually burn. I know radioactive material is being discussed (as being secured ~eyes rolling~), but who knows what other types of dangerous materials are at the labs. I have my doubts that anyone really does know. I am just very happy that the wind does not blow in this direction.
Yesterday morning when I went to sleep the fire was coming down the ski hill and was about 1/2 mile away from homes. I fully expected to wake up later in the day to the news that the entire town and the labs had burned. Well, thanks to the brave men and women fighting the fire that has not happened. Needless to say, the feds are on this too. They have national guard up there protecting property, but that has nothing to do with fear of looters at homes and businesses (as they somewhat try to claim) and everything to do with fear of someone getting into the labs.
Given all that, you would think there would be a ban on fireworks, but no! Apparently there is some stupid law that prevents fireworks from being completely banned and only allows for certain types to be banned. Supposedly it is illegal to use them in the area I live in because it is outside the city and you can be sure that I will be phoning the police to report anyone that I see using them. There is a huge fine and possibly jail time, so I would hope that frightens the idiots that would do that, but they probably don't even watch the news or read the paper to know that.
So that is why I have not been posting much lately, there is little on my mind other than these horrific fires. There does seem to finally be a small amount of rain moving in, but I have a feeling it is too little and too late and right now it is hitting all the wrong areas.
Guess that is all for now.
4 comments:
Lesley, I've been thinking of you and the fires; keep safe.
As to the fireworks, yes, you wonder what the hell they're thinking...
It is so dry and all the fires make me incredibly paranoid. There was a fire in the canyon here just a couple weeks back - thanks to PNM having done crappy maintenance with their electrical lines. It didn't burn much because all the neighbors headed over there and had it mostly out by the time the fire dept arrived. Yesterday I bought another cat carrier because I only had one if we needed to evacuate for some reason.
In good news today - Smiths and Albertsons the two largest grocery chains have pulled all fireworks from their stores and won't be selling them. A little late, but in this case every little bit helps.
I'm with you Lesley. I could not believe it when I saw the firework stands sprouting up. I've lived here all my life (going on 44 years) and I've never seen NM this dry. Ever. I'm hoping that the monsoon gets here quick.
Oh, I was just up at Albertsons (there is a Smiths across the street) and although they may not be selling fireworks, there was a huge tent selling them in the parking lot. :-(
I hope the monsoons hit soon too. As I recall, the 4th is normally cloudy with threats of rain, but I don't think that is going to happen this year. Looking at the extended forecast I am not seeing much hope for the Albuquerque area in the coming week.
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