Increased drought conditions could also lead to an increased risk of forest fires in the state. In March 2000, the National Weather Service in Albuquerque stated that the 2000 fire season will likely pose a potentially higher than average fire danger. Storms like the crippling winter storms of 1997 could become more common as more of New Mexico's precipitation falls in the form of rain, sleet, and ice. The severity and number of flash floods could increase New Mexico's flash flood fatality rate, already the 10th highest in the nation. The death rate for asthma has tripled over the past 20 years.
Decisive action is needed now to protect human health.
The number one priority is to reduce the burning of fossil fuels, especially by coal-burning power plants and automobiles. The report lays out specific opportunities for personal and political actions needed to achieve this goal. The report on New Mexico is the fifth report in a planned series of 18 state-specific reports in which PSR describes the effects that rising world temperatures may have on local communities.