Sen. Ben Ray Luján meets Wednesday with the staff at John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center. Courtesy/BRL Office

Sen. Ben Ray Luján tours Las Vegas and Mora communities impacted by the fire. Courtesy/BRL Office

U.S. SENATE News:

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) traveled to Las Vegas and Mora to tour communities impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and receive an update on the current recovery efforts in the communities of Mora and San Miguel Counties from local officials and state and federal agencies assisting with the fire.

Following their discussion, Sen. Luján visited the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center, the largest producer of tree seedlings in the southwestern U.S., to meet with staff and learn how the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Wildfire has impacted their communities and crops. Sen. Luján also toured acequias that were damaged by the flooding caused by the aftermath of the wildfires.

Earlier this month, following the New Mexico Congressional Delegation’s call, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted an extension of the duration of New Mexico’s disaster declaration that will include flooding impacts.