President Biden approves disaster declaration for extra help for Ruidoso area fires
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
President Joe Biden Thursday signed a disaster declaration submitted by the State of New Mexico freeing up federal aid to help recovery efforts for two large fires burning around Ruidoso since Monday, according to the White House.
"The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe," read an announcement on the website.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, per the website.
"Federal funding is also available to State, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe," according to the presidential website.
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) applauded President Biden's quick response after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham asked for the declaration Wednesday and highlighted the urgent need for federal assistance due to extensive damage from both fires.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham asked for the declaration Wednesday and highlighted the urgent need for federal assistance due to extensive damage and ongoing threats posed from the South Fork and Salt fires, according to a news release from Lujan Grisham's press office.
"The South Fork and Salt Fires are serious and threatening multiple communities, with two confirmed fatalities and hundreds of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to these fires and the thousands of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes," read a statement from the Congressional Delegation.
More: South Fork Fire nearly triples in size overnight as Ruidoso is evacuated
Wednesday night Lujan Grisham was joined by Stansbury and Roswell Mayor Tim Jennings for a press conference at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. They discussed state and federal efforts to help displaced residents from Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, as the fires burned thousands of acres starting Monday on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.
“We are in the fight, we are to help (and) we will be there every step of the way,” Stansbury said at the press conference.
Stansbury represents the Ruidoso area as part of New Mexico's First Congressional District and said a federal incident command team was set up in Lincoln County Wednesday to oversee fire operations. She said the disaster declaration sets forward a process to provide federal funds and assistance.
“We anticipate recovery costs to be high,” Stansbury said.
More: South Fork Fire nearly triples in size overnight as Ruidoso is evacuated
Nearly 1,400 structures were affected by the fires and more than 8,000 residents were evacuated, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Thousands of residents were evacuated to six shelters in Roswell Monday night and Jennings said Roswell and Southeast New Mexico played a positive role in helping those supplanted from the fires.
“The people in our communities love each other,” he said. “City (of Roswell) staff has been fantastic.”
More: 'It's devastating' says family of Patrick Pearson killed in South Fork Fire in Ruidoso
Jennings also thanked other government agencies and Roswell’s Church on the Move for providing places to stay along with food, clothing and other basic necessities.
“We need to keep working together. Our work is not over,” he said.
Jennings said some evacuees’ stay in Roswell might be extended once the fire is contained and government officials figure out future steps for the Village of Ruidoso and the City of Ruidoso Downs.
Latest information on both fires
RUIDOSO FIRES: Updated at 10:47 a.m. Thursday, June 20, 2024:
South Fork Fire: Acres consumed: 16,335, %contained: 0
Salt Fire: Acres consumed: 7,071, % contained: 0
Deaths: 2
Injuries: 2
Structures affected: Around 1,400
Weather: Flash flood watch from noon Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. Rain chances are 60% to 70% Thursday and Thursday. Rain chances Friday 90%.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Disaster declaration approved for Ruidoso area fires
