N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls on President Biden to Grant State's Major Disaster Declaration Request in Response to Severe Wildfires

RUIDOSO, N.M. — With thousands of New Mexicans displaced due to devastating wildfires, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are calling on President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

In a letter to President Biden, New Mexico’s Congressional delegation wrote, “We respectfully request that you [President Biden] take immediate action on the recent request for a major disaster declaration from the State of New Mexico in response to the ongoing wildfires that started on Mescalero Apache Reservation on June 17, 2024.”

A Major Disaster Declaration would open up access to Public Assistance and Individual Assistance funds from FEMA. Public Assistance supports the restoration and reconstruction of public infrastructure and lands. Individual Assistance supports families from losses suffered due to the fires.

The State is requesting Public Assistance, Category A and B, including Direct Federal Assistance and Individual Assistance for Lincoln County, Otero County, and Mescalero Apache Tribe.  

The lawmakers added, “Due to the life and death nature of this crisis, we urge [President Biden] to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for a major disaster declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to New Mexican communities to respond and recover from the devastation caused by these fires.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already approved Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) to support firefighting efforts.

Read the full text of the letter below or by clicking here.

Dear President Biden,

We respectfully request that you take immediate action on the recent request for a major disaster declaration from the State of New Mexico in response to the ongoing wildfires that started on Mescalero Apache Reservation on June 17, 2024. The State is requesting Public Assistance, Category A and B, including Direct Federal Assistance, and Individual Assistance for Lincoln County, Otero County, and Mescalero Apache Tribe. The State is requesting all parts of Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, and Displacement Assistance.Additionally, the State is requesting Hazard Mitigation statewide. We ask that you expeditiously grant the major disaster declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible for the State, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and both Counties to have all the resources they need to mitigate and recover from the devastation of these wildfires. 

Since June 17, 2024, the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire in New Mexico have destroyed over 1400 homes and businesses, and more than 8,000 New Mexicans have been forced to evacuate their communities, often with livestock and pets. Serious drought and windy conditions continue to make fire response challenging and the fires are threatening multiple populated areas. Fourteen shelters are currently supporting evacuees and there have been two confirmed fatalities since the disaster began. Federal assistance is of utmost urgency.

Due to the life and death nature of this crisis, we urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for a major disaster declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to New Mexican communities to respond and recover from the devastation caused by these fires.  

Thank you for your consideration of this important request.