BY MANDY SACKETT
Taos

Sen. Bobby Gonzales is right that wildfire threatens far more than forests in northern New Mexico. https://losalamosreporter.com/2026/02/02/sen-bobby-gonzales-protecting-northern-new-mexicos-land-water-and-communities-from-wildfire/ As a Taos County landowner, I see how wildfire threatens the economies and ways of life that depend on healthy land and water. In Taos, our economy is deeply tied to the outdoors: world-class skiing, fly fishing, hiking, biking, and the clean air and intact landscapes attract residents and visitors.

Early wildfire detection and faster response are critical tools, and investments in preparedness help protect communities and businesses alike. But for outdoor recreation communities like Taos, response alone isn’t enough. Climate change is shortening ski seasons, drying up rivers, increasing smoke days, and making wildfire more destructive. I myself moved to Taos County with dreams of snowboarding the famous powdery desert snow, but have only gotten to experience a few days of it over the past few years due to so few winter storms.

The Clear Horizons Act (SB18) complements wildfire preparedness by addressing the pollution that intensifies drought, extreme heat, and fire risk. Planning ahead to reduce those impacts helps protect the landscapes our local economy depends on and the jobs that come with them.

Protecting Taos’ outdoor economy means acting on both prevention and response. I urge Sen. Gonzales to support the Clear Horizons Act as part of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard northern New Mexico’s land, livelihoods, and communities.

Mandy Sackett, resident of Taos County and New Mexico Lead Campaigner for Earthworks, works as a certified thermography making invisible pollution visible in the New Mexico oil fields and brings that data to action. This year, Earthworks supports the Clear Horizon’s Act (SB 18), which will set enforceable emission pollution reduction goals for the state.