A NEW REPORT SHOWS THAT MORE THAN 120-THOUSAND ACRES OF PONDEROSA PINE, SPRUCE, PINON AND OTHER TREES DIED IN NEW MEXICO LAST YEAR. THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN REPORTS THAT’S AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 50-PERCENT FROM THE YEAR BEFORE, AND THE FIRST JUMP IN FIVE YEARS.
JOHN FORMBY WHO HEADS UP THE STATE FOREST HEALTH PROGRAM SAYS NEAR RECORD HEAT AND THE ONGOING DROUGHT WEAKENED THE ABILITY OF TREES TO FIGHT OFF BEETLES AND OTHER PESTS. HE SAYS WITH A RECENT INCREASE IN MOISTURE STATEWIDE, THE HEALTH OF THE STATE’S FORESTS SHOULD IMPROVE THIS YEAR.
