New Mexico
Advocacy group pushes for more heat protection in New Mexico
It seems like New Mexico is getting hotter and climate advocates say it’s becoming a life-threatening issue
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico is getting hotter and climate advocates say it’s becoming a life-threatening issue.
A map from the independent group Climate Central shows what parts of the country have seen the biggest increases in average summer temperatures since 1970. New Mexico is pretty dark, with almost every county experiencing at least a 3 degree increase.
That might not sound like much, but this is the average increase, meaning there’s been summer days well above the normal temperatures.
Experts predict it’s only going to get hotter and more dangerous for everyday New Mexicans.
“New Mexico is getting hotter in every county, in every community,” said Nathaniel Matthews-Trigg, a founding member of Healthy Climate New Mexico.
Matthews-Trigg says it’s not the kind of heat you can just tough it out through anymore.
“All of a sudden, we’re reaching points where it’s taking physical tolls on our bodies. It’s becoming more difficult to play outside in the summer, to work in the garden, to exercise outdoors,” said Matthews-Trigg.
According to National Weather Service data, temperatures hit 100 degrees in Albuquerque 17 days last year, quadrupling the number of triple-digit days in 2022.
There’s only been five 100 degree days this year so far, but that’s not the most concerning statistic.
“When we look at the research, we see that this increase in average temperature, which means greater extreme heat events, is really resulting in an increase in injury and death,” Matthews-Trigg said.
Data from the New Mexico Health Department is clear, more New Mexicans are dying from the heat and even more are going to the hospital because of it.
It’s a concern for business owners like John Grisak who manages three different roofing companies in New Mexico.
“These are the toughest men and women you’ve ever seen, because they have to work in extreme cold, but they also work in very, very extreme heat,” said John Grisak, owner of Fiddler Roofing.
Grisak says his roofers are good about drinking water and taking breaks when they need it, so he doesn’t enforce any heat-related policies. But that’s not always the case.
“We know that outdoor workers are incredibly vulnerable, and there’s a growing movement for occupational heat standard,” said Matthews-Trigg.
The Biden administration recently directed OSHA to make that happen after data shows more than 400 American workers died from heat-related issues since 2011.
Matthews-Trigg suggests state lawmakers could approve a statewide occupation heat standard faster, and tailor it for New Mexico’s specific climate.
“In New Mexico, we don’t have much humidity, but what we do have is really intense sun, what we call solar radiation. So we need to make sure that any occupational heat standard takes into account the local context,” Matthews-Trigg said.
Grisak says he would welcome the oversight.
“We’ll follow the law, whatever needs to be done. Because without these tough men and women, I don’t have a business,” said Grisak.
Matthews-Trigg says there are also a lot of opportunities for community groups to partner with local governments and clinics to help New Mexicans brace the intense heat before approving new laws.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A local business owner estimates he suffered about $1 million in damages as the result of yet another fire at a South Valley recycling plant.
Town Recycling on Broadway Blvd. SE has witnessed two fires in a span of less than two weeks with the first happening May 23rd and the second occurring Tuesday of this week.
Khalil Samaha, who owns Samcar, Inc. and Cedar’s Construction next door, says his businesses escaped without serious damage from the first fire, but the second one led to the loss of his main building, inventory he sells including trucks, construction equipment, computers, records, and much more.
“It’s a total mess. Everything is on the ground with water and insulation. It’s a total loss,” he said.
He gave KOB 4 a tour of his damaged property Wednesday and says that county officials have condemned the main office and won’t let him back inside.
“You can see all the glass is popped,” he said pointing to the windows. “I don’t know if the firefighters broke them or they exploded.”
A spokesperson for Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue issued a statement saying that, based on witness accounts, both fires may have started in a “bale of cardboard” at the recycling facility.
As of Wednesday evening, Broadway between Prosperity and Rio Bravo remained closed.
Samaha says firefighters attempted to battle the second fire from a different area than the first and the wind may have made conditions tougher.
“This time, the wind didn’t help,” he said. “So, it was blowing in my direction and took the building and some equipment in the back.”
Having seen two fires at the neighboring recycling facility in a span of about 11 days, he wonders if this will finally be the end of it.
“I hope it’s the last time. But, worried? Yes, we are worried,” he said. “We are close to them, and the materials are close to the fence. We share the fence together, so it’s always in the back of your mind.”
And now he lives with the memory of how quickly everything can change – just like it did earlier this week.
“It was very quick. From the smoke to the flame to the fire, it was very, very quick.”
A representative of Town Recycling declined our request for an interview.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – New Mexico Highlands University President Niel Woolf has sued the school, claiming leaders pushed him to redirect a $600,000 contract to a chairman’s friend.
Woolf filed the lawsuit after the university placed him on administrative leave at the beginning of May.
He says Board of Regents Chair Frank Sanchez told him to cancel a $600,000 agreement with an out-of-state contractor and give it to a local contractor.
Woolf says that company is led by a friend of both Sanchez and his brother-in-law, Sen. Pete Campos, who represents Las Vegas.
In the lawsuit, Woolf says Sanchez told him directing the funds to his friend would “go a long way towards securing money for the University from Senator Campos,” said Woolf.
Woolf is seeking damages and attorney’s fees under the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act.
CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will begin its summer season on Tuesday, June 9, after the railroad delayed its opening due to drought and wildfire danger.
The season was initially set to begin on May 23. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission said it would conduct a review on June 2 to determine if it was safe enough to begin operations.
“A sincere thank you to all our passengers and the communities in Chama and Antonito who have been so patient as we waited for conditions to improve,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “We are excited to welcome guests back aboard and hear the opening whistle signal the start of another memorable season.”
The railroad will hold a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 13, in Chama. The celebration will coincide with Chama Western Heritage Days, a community festival that weekend with live music, vendors, and rodeo competitions.
The railroad recently won USA TODAY’S poll for the best scenic train ride in the country. In celebration of the win, the railroad said passengers who book by June 7 ca receive a 25% discount on coach tickets for trips through August. Guests must redeem the offer by calling the railroad at 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
Tickets are also available for the first Dark Sky Train departures on June 12 from Chama and June 13 from Antonito. The dark sky trains include evening excursions led by international dark sky guides, and take passengers to secluded spots with minimal light pollution.
-
News10 minutes agoTrump’s name must come off the Kennedy Center by June 12
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoOvernight military training brings loud flash bangs, simulated gunfire to quiet Pasadena neighborhood
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoDetroit Lions add UDFA rookie WR during OTAs
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoHow to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers
-
Dallas, TX2 hours ago3 different Cowboys 53-man roster projections pinpoint contested roster spots
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoJeff Hafley suggests Miami Dolphins entertain Malik Willis Tush Push
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoKaren Read sues the police agencies that investigated her Boston police boyfriend’s death
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoPedestrian dies after hit by car on southbound E-470, Aurora police say
