Prescribed Fire gaining momentum in New Mexico

As the New Mexico House of Representatives considers a bill that would support the increased use of prescribed burning as a forest management technique, it is a reminder that progress can be made on forest health through innovative practices that save lives and protect property.

Prescribed fire is a key element in promoting the overall health of our forests, and more public education on the practice will dispel myths ingrained for decades that all fires are bad. Prescribed fire clears the brush that fuels wildfire and promotes new growth on the forest floor. Without a high fuel load, wildfires will burn slower and cooler.

As Moore Charitable Foundation Co-chair Louis Bacon and New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich outlined in a recent op-ed, we can promote forest health by building a capable workforce that is sufficient in number and in training to manage forests and prevent overgrowth while boosting employment in hard-hit rural areas.

This is an exciting opportunity for New Mexico to seize on new ideas and opportunities to promote forest health.