Title
Hearing and Proclamation Imposing Restrictions and Limiting the Use of Fireworks during Extreme Drought Conditions
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Proclamation Imposing Fire Restrictions and Limiting the Use of Fireworks during Severe to Extreme Drought Conditions as a result of the hearing conducted on May 17, 2022.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends the adoption of Incorporated County of Los ALamos Hearing and Proclamation Imposing Restrictions and Limiting the Use of Fireworks during Severe to Extreme Drought Conditions.
Body
Background Information
Due to the current extreme fire risks and the prediction by the National Weather Service of continuing extreme drought conditions in the County, the Fire Department, in consultation with other local, state, federal and tribal agencies the Fire Marshal has determined that restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks and limitation on other sources of ignition are now necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
The County, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 60-2C-1 et seq. is authorized to a hold a hearing and issue a proclamation limiting the sale and use of certain fireworks in the County, where the current drought conditions of the County are either severe or extreme as determined by the indices published by the National Weather Service (NWS).
As provided in the attached proclamation, including its attachments, the NWS, as of April 28, 2022, has determined that the County is under extreme drought conditions. NWS predicts, as shown on the attachment, these conditions are predicted to continue from May 1, 2022 to at least July 31, 2022. See attachment titled “U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook” released April 30, 2022. The wildland fire outlook remains high.
As may be obvious to many, this year shows that surrounding forests are at an increased risk from potential wildfires due to many years of continued dr...
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