Albuquerque city officials are asking residents to help prevent fires in the Bosque after a string of suspected arsons triggered expanded patrols, new surveillance tools and a crackdown ahead of the Fourth of July.
At a press conference at Tingley Beach, Mayor Tim Keller said multiple fires over the past week were human-caused, including one tied to a suspect who may face arson charges. Albuquerque Fire Rescue, along with police and parks officials, said crews are on high alert and ramping up patrols in open space areas.
“We are seeing a troubling sequence of human-caused fires in the Bosque,” Keller said. “It’s extremely flammable, and these are things that can be very difficult to control for us if they get out of hand. That’s why we try and control them right away – and why we try and prevent them.”…