NJFFSA16
04-24-2002, 01:27 AM
DENVER (AP) - Gov. Bill Owens on Tuesday (4/23) asked the federal
government to declare the entire state a drought emergency, saying
some areas are facing the driest conditions in a century.
He also ordered three tanker planes on standby, along with 80
firefighters and 25 prisoners who are trained to fight wildfires.
"This is a statewide emergency that requires a statewide
response," Owens said.
It is the first time in state history that a governor has asked
for this type of declaration.
This year, there have been 283 fires that have consumed 7,600
acres in a wildfire season that began two months early. In 2000,
the worst fire season in 50 years, there were 54 fires that burned
2,700 acres this early in the season.
Owens asked the state Drought Task Force to meet Wednesday to
consider options for dealing with the drought.
Owens said the snowpack is only 27 percent of normal, grasses
have about 4 percent of moisture and trees about 10 percent
The snowpack percentage is measured against a 30-year average.
Melting snow contributes about 80 percent of the water in rivers,
streams, lakes and reservoirs, which comprise much of the state's
water supply.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press
government to declare the entire state a drought emergency, saying
some areas are facing the driest conditions in a century.
He also ordered three tanker planes on standby, along with 80
firefighters and 25 prisoners who are trained to fight wildfires.
"This is a statewide emergency that requires a statewide
response," Owens said.
It is the first time in state history that a governor has asked
for this type of declaration.
This year, there have been 283 fires that have consumed 7,600
acres in a wildfire season that began two months early. In 2000,
the worst fire season in 50 years, there were 54 fires that burned
2,700 acres this early in the season.
Owens asked the state Drought Task Force to meet Wednesday to
consider options for dealing with the drought.
Owens said the snowpack is only 27 percent of normal, grasses
have about 4 percent of moisture and trees about 10 percent
The snowpack percentage is measured against a 30-year average.
Melting snow contributes about 80 percent of the water in rivers,
streams, lakes and reservoirs, which comprise much of the state's
water supply.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press