The Forest Service and their collaborators are polluting our skies with smoke despite an unprecedented upsurge in COVID-19 cases. Exposure to smoke for even a short time can increase the risk of becoming infected. There is no good reason for putting lives at risk. Tell Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to use her emergency powers to protect public health and stop this hazardous plan!
On March 20, the Santa Fe National Forest issued a news release announcing they were suspending intentional burning during the Covid-19 outbreak. The reason given was to protect the public from the hazardous effects of smoke which could “further endanger at-risk members of our communities.” But on September 17 they announced the resumption of burning, despite the fact that Covid-19 cases in NM are on the rise.
The SFNF was right to suspend burning during the Covid-19 outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect you immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Long term or short term poor air quality is associated with an increased risk of developing Covid-19 and having a more severe case. Research into other viral infections shows that just two hours of exposure to smoke can make people more susceptible to respiratory infections.
Even without the threat of Covid-19, smoke from wildfires or intentionally set fires is hazardous.
“It’s well understood that the human health effects of inhaling wildfire smoke can be “dire,” says Rachel Morello-Frosch, environmental epidemiologist at the University of California, Berkeley. The smoke often contains high levels of microscopic particles capable of lodging deep in the lungs and entering the bloodstream, contributing to respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, and other health conditions, including harm to pregnant women and fetuses.
The American Lung Association echoes these concerns: “Wildfire smoke can be extremely harmful to the lungs, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, COPD and bronchitis or a chronic heart disease or diabetes.”
See here for information on the bacteria and fungi transported by smoke from both wildfires and intentionally set fires.
Send an email to Governor Lujan Grisham
Copy the letter below, then click on the button to access and paste to the Governor’s web form.
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The Santa Fe National Forest announced on March 20 they were suspending intentional burning during the Covid-19 outbreak. The reason given was to protect the public from the hazardous effects of smoke. On September 17 they reversed course and plan to start burning nearly eleven square miles this fall despite the fact that infections in NM are on the rise.
You must use your emergency powers to protect the public from this hazardous project. Soon smoke could billow from areas close to downtown Santa Fe. We have been doing our part to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by staying home, wearing masks, and social distancing. There is no excuse for the Forest Service not to do the same.
Burning during the pandemic is not worth the risk. Thank you for taking action to protect public health.