WHILE WILDFIRES ARE RAGING IN SEVERAL WESTERN STATES, THAT’S NOT THE CASE IN NEW MEXICO THIS SUMMER. METEOROLOGIST CHUCK MAXWELL WITH THE SOUTHWEST COORDINATION CENTER IN ALBUQUERQUE SAYS THE WEATHER IS THE MAIN FACTOR. HE SAYS THE PERIODIC MOISTURE IS KEEPING FUELS GREEN AND SOIL MOISTURE UP. THERE ALSO HASN’T BEEN MANY BOUTS OF HOT, DRY WEATHER.
MAXWELL SAYS THERE’S ALSO BEEN A GENERAL SHIFT IN THE DROUGHT PATTERN TOWARD THE WEST COAST. HE SAYS THIS WILL LIKELY GO DOWN AS THE LEAST ACTIVE FIRE SEASON IN NEW MEXICO IN 20 TO 25 YEARS.
