Fire

The Food Depot Responds To New Mexico Fire And Floods, Seeks Community Support For Emergencies

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The Food Depot News:

SANTA FE — The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s food bank, has rapidly mobilized in the past week to support recent emergency responses to fires and flooding across the state.

The food bank collaborated with Roadrunner Food Bank to provide resources during the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire near Ruidoso.

Following flooding in Las Vegas, N.M. operations mobilized to deliver a semi-truck of bottled water. Now, The Food Depot calls upon the community to enable their continued swift response.

“Food banks have always been on the front lines during a disaster,” Deputy Director Read More

State, Federal, Local, County Agencies Partner To Provide Resources For Those Impacted By South Fork & Salt Fires 

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From the Office of the Governor:

          • State disaster recovery center, 24/7 hotline available to help connect people to resources and answer questions

SANTA FE – State, federal, local and county agencies are working together to provide reources to those impacted by the South Fork and Salt fires.

A state Disaster Recovery Center is now open at the Roswell Convention Center and will remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Residents can get connected to Disaster Case Management and receive help coordinating both short-term and long-term resources.

In addition to Disaster Case Management Read More

FBI Seeking Public’s Assistance In Identifying Cause Of South Fork Fire And Salt Fire, Offering Up To $10,000 Reward

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FBI News:

The FBI is assisting local, state, federal and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation of the fires burning near Ruidoso. The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire were discovered on June 17, 2024.

The FBI is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the cause of these fires. 

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.

The FBI asks that anyone who may have any information pertaining to the cause of the fires to please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.

The Read More

Heinrich, Luján Visit Ruidoso To Meet With Firefighters, First Responders, Families Impacted By South Fork, Salt Fires

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U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) meet with local leaders and emergency responders to discuss the South Fork and Salt Fires, June 18, 2024. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

RUIDOSO — Friday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) met with families, local and Tribal leaders, firefighters, first responders, and emergency operation commanders in Roswell, Ruidoso, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, discussing the response to and impacts of the South Fork and Salt Fires currently burning in New Mexico. 

“These fires have already had devastating Read More

Heinrich Bill To Extend Federal Programs To Support Fire Departments Including Los Alamos County Passes Senate

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, legislation to extend federal programs that help support local fire departments in Los Alamos County, throughout New Mexico and across the country.

The bill would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program through 2030 and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) through 2028.

The Read More

Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration For New Mexico

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Thursday, President Joe Biden granted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for New Mexico, an action that will release federal funds to support recovery efforts for the ongoing South Fork Fire and Salt Fire. 

“I’m grateful to President Biden for approving the Major Disaster Declaration quickly,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This federal assistance will help affected residents receive the necessary aid to begin to recover and rebuild their lives.” 

The declaration will provide assistance to individuals, households and businesses in Read More

Sterna: Understanding ‘Ready’ In ‘Ready, Set, Go!’

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By KELLY STERNA
Wildland Division Chief
Los Alamos Fire Department 

Wildfire season is here, posing a significant risk to our scenic Los Alamos community, nestled amidst natural forests and mountainous terrains. While a paradise for many of us, this landscape also heightens our wildfire risk. Our community needs to be in a constant “Ready” state due to its geography and history of wildfires. Citizens should always be aware of local fire weather forecasts, local fire information, and most importantly, their “Ready” status.

Currently, New Mexico has two active wildland fires: the Indios Read More

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Formally Requests Major Disaster Declaration For New Mexico Wildfires 

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Figure 1: South Fork / Salt Fire Burn Scar Map as of June 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Courtesy/Southwest Area Incident Management Team

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in response to the devastating South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, which began on June 17, 2024. The request highlights the urgent need for federal assistance due to the extensive damage and ongoing threats posed by these wildfires.

“Our first responders are heroes, but they need more resources to combat this disaster Read More

NMDWS Prepared To Process Unemployment Insurance Claims Quickly For New Mexico Workers Affected By Wildfire   

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NMDWS Secretary Sarita Nair

NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) is waiting for federal approval and guidance for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to be offered to workers whose employment has been affected by the Southfork or Salt fires. Individuals may apply for Standard Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits now, a first step in the DUA process.

DUA updates and UI information are available on the NMDWS website https://www.dws.state.nm.us/DUA.

“Our Department is prepared to take Unemployment Insurance claims and help individuals Read More