Another big fire in NM destroys homes needlessly

Every year lately New Mexico suffers from a large fire that destroys many homes needlessly. Yet we have the technology to save every structure. Last year the Santa Fe New Mexican (newspaper) published an article that outlined one particular instance of a home using SAPG (Super Absorbent Polymer Gel) technology. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Fire-suppression-gel-may-have-helped-save-family-s-home-

It is time again to review this issue. It appears that NM Governor Susana Martinez has partially taken up the idea of using supertankers (10,000 gallon +) for fire drops as opposed the the old World War II planes with only one tenth (1/10) of that capacity.

However, the DC-10 currently being used to help fight the Little Bear fire in NM is dwarfed by the 20,000 gallon 747 Supertankers. More capacity means, more safety, less time in the air which means less fuel and related costs and more importantly less loss of homes and God forbid loss of life. It only makes sense to use all of the resources available to protect the citizens of New Mexico.

Former Senator Joe Carraro introduced a bill a couple of years ago that would have allowed an aviation cooperative for New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah to jointly purchase a 747 supertanker for the region. The cost would have been less expensive and time consuming then what we currently have available.

As much as people may enjoy the Rail Runner I believe saving lives and homes is more important. I don't think our priorities were correct at the time. The aviation cooperative could have actually brought revenue to NM instead of putting us in debt every year as is the case with the Rail Runner.