By Astrid Galvan
The Albuquerque Journal
SOUTH VALLEY, N.M. — Every year toward the end of spring for as long as many can remember, law enforcement officials have cleared out the dozens of South Valley bosque dwellers.
It’s been an annual, but temporary, effort meant to reduce the risk of wildfires posed by oft-called squatters, especially when the winds start picking up and land gets dangerously dry.
But this year, authorities are forcing dwellers to move out earlier than usual, with the intent on patrolling and enforcing throughout the year.
A task force last week started telling trespassers they have five days to move out. For the first time, they will continue enforcement throughout the year.
“It really goes back to just prevention is key,” said Albuquerque Fire Department Wildland program manager Lt. Jeremiah Hansen.
The task force, comprised of APD Open Space officers and several fire departments, is trekking through acres of bosque to find people who live in encampments, with the intent of forcing them out.
There are about 50 encampments, officials said.
The task force helps dwellers, many of whom are believed to have drug addiction or mental health problems, access resources such as homeless shelters and veteran care, Hansen said.
But Jeremy Reynalds, chief executive officer of Joy Junction, the state’s largest emergency homeless shelter, worries there aren’t enough places for the homeless to go once they are kicked out of the bosque.
As it is, his organization is turning down up to 25 people every day, Reynalds said.
“If you’re going to crack down on the homeless, we as community better give the homeless an alternative,” he said. “You have to do what you have to do, but bear in mind there are consequences to every action.”
There are several reasons why the force is taking a more aggressive approach than in past years.
Hansen said experts believe this year might produce a longer wildfire season than usual, although it’s expected to be tamer.
But there’s also a matter of a tight city and county budget — wildfires costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put out. Money already allocated for patrolling the open space will be used to patrol the area year round, APD Lt. Jay S. Gilhooly said.
Earlier this month, fire officials responded to a wildfire in the bosque near the Rio Grande Zoo that burned 31 acres and cost taxpayers about $180,000 in three days.
The fire, which is still under investigation, is believed to have been mancaused, Hansen said.
And it’s not just the danger of dwellers starting a fire, Hansen said. It’s also the danger of them being caught in it.
“The last fire (in early April) had an encampment,” he said. “They can be in the fire’s path.”
Copyright 2010 Albuquerque Journal