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e ( c) There was significantly less snowfall in the 2001-02 winter season than on average, resulting in a reduced level of water available to these consumers; (d) According to the Colorado water conservation board, as of May 1, 2002, the season's statewide snowpack was only nineteen percent of the state's seasonal average snowpack; (e) The moisture content of grass is one to four percent of normal and the moisture content of trees is six to ten percent of normal; (t) Experts have indicated that parts of the state are experiencing the driest conditions in nearly one hundred years; (g) Low snowpack, significantly reduced moisture content in grass and trees, and other such drought conditions, coupled with warm winds, have greatly increased the danger of fire in the state; e (h) In the early stages of the 2002 fire season alone, there have been several hundred fires in the state of Colorado which have burned several hundred thousand acres; (i) Due to the severe fire dangers, the state and many counties and communities have instituted fire restrictions in an effort to reduce the extremely high risk of fire within their boundaries; G) Despite these and other efforts to avert fires during these drought conditions, many fires have been started through the knowing, reckless, or negligent acts of individuals; (k) Governor Owens publicly recognized hoth the severe drought conditions and the related fire danger in the state and requested the United States Department of Agriculture to declare the state of Colorado an emergency drought area. The Governor further directed the Colorado water availability task force to activate a statewide drought response plan. (I) Among its several recommendations as set forth in its report to Governor Owens, dated May 1,2002, the Colorado water availability task force recommended increasing the liability of those individuals who negligently cause wildfires during a drought emergency. e PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 02S-1001