Senator Ron Griggs' Red Flag Prescribed Burn Ban Unanimously Passes Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2023

Contact: Joaquín Romero

joaquin.romero@nmlegis.gov

(505) 506-5798

Senator Ron Griggs' Red Flag Prescribed Burn Ban Unanimously Passes Senate

SANTA FE — Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Senator Ron Griggs (R-Alamogordo), today passed the New Mexico Senate on a 36-0 vote. The bill aims to codify in law that prescribed burns are prohibited on days when a Red Flag wind warning has been issued.

Senator Griggs issued the following statement regarding the passage of his bill:

“Special thanks to my Senate colleagues who saw the importance of taking action on behalf of the hundreds of New Mexicans impacted by wildfires sparked by prescribed burns. To the people of New Mexico, thank you for the dozens of calls, messages, and emails that encouraged this body to act on this issue. Without your advocacy, this bill might have been just one of many bills that never get beyond a first hearing. Instead, we have sent a strong message on behalf of the people of New Mexico that we are not just interested in reparations for damage, but we are committed to stopping the next massive wildfire.”

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