Archive for June 19, 2011

Let’s Learn From Other People’s Stupid Mistakes

by John Weckerle

We would like to draw our readers’ attention to the most recent KOB TV story on the Track Fire near Raton, New Mexico.   We find the following quotes especially relevant:

Investigators have figured out what caused the 27,000 acre track fire near Raton that destroyed multiple homes and caused 500 people to evacuate.

New Mexico State Forestry says exhaust particles from an ATV in the area is what most likely caused the dry brush to catch fire.

According to findings from investigators, the ATV driver or drivers trespassed onto private property then headed onto land owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway…

Investigators say whoever is responsible could face multiple charges including criminal trespassing and improper handling of fire.

“The person or persons who started this fire—whether it was intentional or not could be held liable for the cost of suppression which is now in the millions of dollars,” said New Mexico State Forestry Service spokesman Dan Ware.

One important thing to note is this: Whoever started this fire may not even have known they started it.  They could have been long gone before the first wisp of smoke was even visible.

We bring this up because we’ve noted that there’s been some off-road ATV activity in the vicinity of NM-Central headquarters.  We’d like to ask that everyone reading this who owns an ATV please keep your vehicles on the road or in other approved places until New Mexico gets enough moisture to bring the fire danger back down to a level where use of ATVs is safe, and pass the word to your friends who own ATVs.  Everyone thinks they’ll never be the one to start a fire like this, but anyone can be.  Understand that the fact that it’s an accident doesn’t mean that it isn’t your fault, or that you’re not liable for suppression costs and damages.

We understand that it’s no fun to have to keep the ATV in the garage during a New Mexico summer, but please remember: droughts affect everybody, and we all have to watch out for each other.  These are dangerous times, and it’s critical that we all do what we can to help avoid disaster.  The rains will come eventually, and it’ll be safe to ride again (in places where it’s legal, of course, and please don’t trespass).  Let’s all do our part to make sure that those great places to ride remain great places to ride and don’t become a burnt-out mess.