Tafoya: Our total loss in acreages is up to almost 14,000, and the fire is still active, still going strong. Areas on the north side of our reservation and also on the west side are still burning. Outside: Some fires are very intense, and some go through in a “mosaic” pattern, leaving unburned trees standing amid burned-over acres. Generally, how intense is this fire as it goes through?
Tafoya: In the middle of our reservation, it’s pretty intense. We have some moonscapes and the potential for flooding. When the rains come, we’re hoping for a nice drizzle, but we can’t tell Mother Nature what to do, and it might come as a big downpour. Outside: Could you talk a bit about the importance of these areas in your cultural history?
Tafoya: We’ve been occupying this land since time immemorial. Our ancestors dealt with these situations, too, and survived, whether it be drought, fires, warfare, or all three. That’s the reason we’re still here, because of that perseverance. We’ve been here a lot of years." Get the Story:
Burned: As the Las Conchas fire ravages parts of the Santa Clara Pueblo reservation, Lieutenant Governor Joseph B. Tafoya sits down to talk about the damage (Outside Magazine 7/4) Also Today:
Firefighters defend sacred mountain in New Mexico (Reuters 7/5) Related Stories:
Santa Clara Pueblo declares emergency as fire slams reservation (7/1)
Cochiti Pueblo prepares evacuation plan due to threat from fire (6/28)
Wildfire poses threat to Cochiti Pueblo in northern New Mexico (6/27)
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