New Mexico’s Changing Drought & The Story Behind the ABQ Tram Rescue | 1.10.22

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

Parker Williams is a bioclimatologist who studies drought and wildfire in the western United States. He spoke with correspondent Laura Paskus about today’s ongoing drought and how it compares and contrasts with droughts in the ancient past. The two also talked about wildfire in the West and how climate change and warmer temperatures affect fire season and landscapes. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at UCLA.

Plus, we bring you a powerful interview from a recent Facebook Live with host Gene Grant. He's joined by Bernalillo County Undersheriff and Pilot Larry Koren, Bernalillo County Fire Department Rescue Specialist Joses Waller, and UNM Mountain Medicine Rescue Specialist Drew Harrell to discuss the New Year’s Day rescue on the Sandia Tram Line

Correspondent:

Laura Paskus

Guests:

Parker Williams, associate professor, Department of Geography, UCLA

Larry Koren, Bernalillo County Undersheriff and Pilot

Joses Waller, Bernalillo County Fire Department Rescue Specialist

Drew Harrell, UNM Mountain Medicine Rescue Specialist

For More Information:

All 21 people who were trapped in New Mexico tramway overnight have been rescued - CNN

How severe is the megadrought in the West – The Hill

2021 Forest Service/USDA Memo

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication September Report

Park Williams & HyFiVeS Research Group website

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