By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
Drought conditions haven’t improved since McKinley County Fire Chief Tim Berry addressed the McKinley County Commission on March 17. Consequently, the county has officially declared extreme, exceptional, or severe drought conditions throughout the region.
McKinley County Deputy Fire Chief Rich Austin provided a formal update on these conditions during the Commission’s May 12 regular meeting.
According to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor as of May 7, severe (D2) drought covers 79% of the county, while the remaining 21% falls into the extreme (D3) category. The National Drought Mitigation Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and NOAA jointly produce this monitor to track environmental stress
Despite these grim figures, Austin shared some positive news. NOAA reports that the monsoon season will likely start early and deliver more rain than average. While the monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30, the county hopes the early moisture will mitigate fire risks.
In response to the update, Commissioner Danielle Notah, Dist. 1, asked how these conditions would affect firework displays during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. This question led Austin to his primary objective: the drought proclamation.
Austin explained that approving the proclamation would immediately restrict firework usage across the county. To prepare for this shift, he reached out to local vendors on April 28 to warn them of the impending restrictions.
Furthermore, when commissioners asked about neighboring policies, Austin noted that the Navajo Nation prohibits fireworks of any kind on its reservation.
Following this discussion, the commissioners ultimately approved the proclamation.
WHAT TYPE OF FIREWORKS ARE ALLOWED
With a firework ban, only certain fireworks can be banned. Items such as sparklers, and smaller fireworks that don’t shoot up high in the sky, will be allowed during the festive weekend and the surrounding days.
The New Mexico State Fire Marshal Fireworks Ordinance states that three types of fireworks are not permissible: stick-type rockets having a tube less than five-eighths inch outside diameter and less than three and one-half inches in length; and fireworks intended for sale to the public that produce an audible effect, other than a whistle, by a charge of more than 130 milligrams of explosive composition per report.
