NJFFSA16
06-14-2005, 01:18 AM
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico create institute to prevent
wildfires
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) - Governors from Arizona, Colorado, and
New Mexico signed a charter Monday to create an institute to share
knowledge and research on preventing catastrophic wildfires in
Western states.
The Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes, which will
combine work from Northern Arizona University, Colorado State
University and New Mexico Highlands University, will also develop,
promote, and monitor forest restoration treatments.
Govs. Janet Napolitano and Bill Owens, of Arizona and Colorado,
respectively, attended a signing ceremony during the Western
Governors' Association's annual meeting. Gov. Bill Richardson of
New Mexico was unable to attend.
As one of the reasons for Arizona's particiaption in the
institute, Napolitano cited her state's largest wildfire in its
history, 2002's Rodeo-Chediski fire that charred 469,000 acres and
destroyed 491 buildings near Show Low in eastern Arizona.
"We know firsthand, what happens when our forests are overgrown
and neglected," Napolitano said. "This is an important step
toward smart, effective forest management and fire prevention."
Congress in October authorized $15 million for the institute. An
estimated 90 percent of 73 million acres of ponderosa pine and
mixed conifer forests are considered at moderate or high risk for
catastrophic fire, according to a statement by the governor's
association.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 06-13-05 2149EDT
wildfires
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) - Governors from Arizona, Colorado, and
New Mexico signed a charter Monday to create an institute to share
knowledge and research on preventing catastrophic wildfires in
Western states.
The Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes, which will
combine work from Northern Arizona University, Colorado State
University and New Mexico Highlands University, will also develop,
promote, and monitor forest restoration treatments.
Govs. Janet Napolitano and Bill Owens, of Arizona and Colorado,
respectively, attended a signing ceremony during the Western
Governors' Association's annual meeting. Gov. Bill Richardson of
New Mexico was unable to attend.
As one of the reasons for Arizona's particiaption in the
institute, Napolitano cited her state's largest wildfire in its
history, 2002's Rodeo-Chediski fire that charred 469,000 acres and
destroyed 491 buildings near Show Low in eastern Arizona.
"We know firsthand, what happens when our forests are overgrown
and neglected," Napolitano said. "This is an important step
toward smart, effective forest management and fire prevention."
Congress in October authorized $15 million for the institute. An
estimated 90 percent of 73 million acres of ponderosa pine and
mixed conifer forests are considered at moderate or high risk for
catastrophic fire, according to a statement by the governor's
association.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 06-13-05 2149EDT