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Gov. Sununu with Smokey Bear and N.H. Forest Protection personnel. Picture Courtesy of Governor Sununu’s Facebook Page
Governor Chris Sununu has proclaimed April 18-24 “Wildfire Awareness Week,” part of an effort to raise the level of public consciousness about the dangers of wildfire and its impact not only on New Hampshire’s forested landscape, but also the potential impact to homes, personal property and the state’s wide variety of recreational opportunities.
Unlike other parts of the country that experience their annual increase in wildfire activity in the summer and fall, spring is wildfire season in the northeastern portion of the United States, when dry grasses, leaves and pinecones, along with fallen twigs and branches, serve as potential fuel for a wildfire.
Limited precipitation received within the past week has not significantly improved the ongoing drought conditions in New Hampshire. More than 57 percent of the state is now experiencing moderate drought conditions and the remainder of the state is classified as abnormally dry.
The heightened concern for wildfires will continue until adequate precipitation is received allowing new leaves and green vegetation to emerge.
“As we transition from winter to spring, it’s important that everyone be aware that their change in activities may alter the causes of wildfires, but not the risk,” said Capt. Douglas Miner from the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau. “Being vigilant about what we are doing outdoors – whether disposing of ash from a woodstove, having that first cookout of the season or doing something else that involves combustion – and practicing strong wildfire prevention behavior can have an enormous impact on all of us.”
Ninety percent of wildfires in New Hampshire are caused by human behavior. While brush fires and campfires are common causes, other sources include improper disposal of smoking materials, overheated engines and sparks emitted from machinery.
“New Hampshire’s forests experienced a significant increase in visitors in 2020, and overall that’s great for our health and our economy,” said Patrick Hackley, director of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands. “Unfortunately, not everyone understands how their actions might start a wildfire and cause damage to our landscape. This proclamation serves to highlight the importance of wildfire prevention awareness.”
The state’s Forest Protection Bureau, part of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, is responsible for protecting 4.5 million acres of both public and private New Hampshire forestlands from the threat of wildland fire and crimes against the forest resource. This is accomplished by forest rangers, fire patrolmen, fire tower personnel and support staff as well as the forest fire wardens and deputy wardens serving in each community.
From 2016-2020, New Hampshire experienced an average of 119 wildfires impacting 276 acres annually.
The N.H. Forest Protection Bureau is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Forests and Lands, which protects and promotes the value provided by trees, forests and natural communities. For more information about the Division of Forests and Lands and the work of its Forest Protection Bureau, visit nh.gov/nhdfl or call 603-271-2214.
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Today on the Morning Show, Roy was joined by Mandy McDonald of End 68 Hours of Hunger. She told us all about this MASSIVE School Food Drive that has been assembled by the faculty, staff, and students of SAU 9 and SAU 13. The school district’s have been collecting specific types of food for the cause and depending on where your student goes they can donate food as well. The Food Drive ends on Friday, April 23rd. Listen below for the interview and make sure to check out the school list!
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The North Conway Public Library has officially been renamed after Lyman Pope in recognition of his generous donation to the expansion project. Shown admiring the new signage is from left Lyman Pope, Sharon Wroblewski, Capital Campaign Chair, and Andrea Masters, Library Director.
NORTH CONWAY, NH – It’s been an exciting year for the North Conway Public Library. The expansion and renovation project, which doubled the size of the library and brought systems up to code, while adding much needed space for library services to meet community needs, was completed in 2020.
While the library is open, with limited hours due to COVID, the capital campaign is ongoing. “We have approximately $350,000 still to raise”, said Andrea Masters, Library Director. “We were so fortunate to receive funding from Lyman for the construction but rising costs during this phase of the project increased our budget needs significantly and we continue to seek grant funding, as well as community support to reach our goal.”
In 2018, the Board of Directors set a goal to renovate and expand the iconic North Conway Public Library after a very generous donation by Lyman Pope, a loyal patron of the library since the 1950’s. He said he saw the need for expansion there and was happy to be in a position to help that cause, as well as to support a library where dogs are welcome. “And this location is excellent. It’s right downtown and people have walking access to it,” Pope said.
“Lyman was instrumental in the development of plans for the expansion – a strong voice from the very beginning of planning through the construction phase” said Board President, Neill Osgood. “As with the early gifts from Mr. Whitaker and Dr. Schouler, one of the Valley’s own set the stage for the library’s future. We thank our friend, Mr. Lyman Pope, for his vision and courageous advances for the betterment of our community and future of our beloved library. We also thank our wonderful patrons and the many community members who have donated to our fund, as well.”
Known for his support of animal shelters, this is Pope’s first library donation and his first project here in his Mount Washington Valley home. The reasons are simple, he said. He cares about dogs that have been mistreated and he cares about libraries.
“Lyman loves books and libraries, and dogs”, said Andrea Masters, Library Director. “He is particularly fond of German shepherds, and as part of the building project, he commissioned a bronze statue of a shepherd that sits proudly by the new entrance in honor of war dogs that have served the American military during wartime.”
The library plans a grand opening celebration sometime in 2021 and looks forward to welcoming the community to the Pope Memorial Library, the newly renamed library announced by the board of directors at their annual meeting in March.
Mr. Pope donated $3 million to the building project and will donate $2 million to the endowment once the name change is officially recorded, all signage completed, and a new walkway built from Main Street to the new entrance of the building in the back.
“We are thrilled to name our library after Lyman Pope”, said Osgood. “His gift is all the more important as the library receives no funding from the town and relies on donations and grants. Lyman’s generosity and devotion to the library and its standing in our community will endure for years to come, as will our mission to enhance the quality of life of our patrons and community, as a whole.”
For more information on the library and its capital campaign please call 603-356-2961, visit northconwaylibrary.com, or stop by during library hours Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 2 pm and Friday 12 pm – 4 pm.
