Colorado Lightning Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week Proclamation
COLORADO LIGHTNING SAFETY & WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK
June 24 – 30, 2007
WHEREAS, Colorado saw the worst wildfire season in its history in 2002 with more than 3,000 fires burning over 600,000 acres and predictions of below normal precipitation and higher than normal temperatures for much of the state may lead to dry conditions similar to those exhibited in 2002; and
WHEREAS, the combined impacts of drought and adverse forest conditions have led to insect and disease outbreaks, killing trees throughout the state and increasing the potential for wildland fire; and
WHEREAS, wildfire is greatly influenced by local and regional weather conditions; and
WHEREAS, Colorado has experienced catastrophic wildfires in recent years, with long-term dry, lingering drought conditions conducive to an active fire season; and
WHEREAS, wildland fire is common in many of Colorado’s forested ecosystems and growth in the urban/rural interface has put many homes in the path of future wildfires; and
WHEREAS, the key to understanding the dangers of wildfire is through education and awareness, and experience has demonstrated that a well-informed and prepared public can take actions to prevent fires from starting; and
WHEREAS, when wildfires do start, a well-informed and prepared public can take actions to reduce the loss of life and damage to property when threatened by wildfire; and
WHEREAS, in Colorado there are a half million cloud to ground lightning strikes annually; and half the wildland fires in Colorado are ignited by lightning; and
WHEREAS, more people in Colorado are killed or injured by lightning each year than from any other thunderstorm hazard, and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, and local government agencies are ready to assist the citizens of Colorado and work with the news media to inform the public of lightning safety measures and wildfire preparedness.
Now Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim June 24 – 30, 2007, as COLORADO LIGHTNING SAFETY AND WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK
in the state of Colorado.
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