Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan offer support to fire victims

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

Mike Smith
| Ruidoso News

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan pledged federal aid to those affected by the wildfires burning in Ruidoso on Friday, during a visit to Roswell where evacuees were sent to escape the blaze.

President Joe Biden on Thursday granted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's request to declare a major disaster to secure federal funds to support recovery efforts.

The declaration helps individuals, households and businesses in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe, reads a news release from the governor's press office.

The South Fork Fire, near the village of Ruidoso, burned 16,349 acres Friday and the Salt Fire, burning seven miles west of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, consumed 7,652 acres, officials said federal firefighters.

“This is a major disaster,” Heinrich said as he and Lujan spoke with the Biden administration to get quick approval of the declaration.

More: Village mayor: “It could take a week or more” before residents can return to Ruidoso

Lujan said residents affected by the fires suffered trauma when the federal and state governments offered additional assistance.

“The big family of New Mexico is coming together,” he said.

Lujan praised Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) for their constant communication with the White House.

“We need to come together and make sure the needs are met,” Lujan said.

Nella Domenici asked for donations for fire victims

Heinrich's Republican opponent in the Senate in the November general election, Nella Domenici, also worked to help those affected by the fires, organizing a donation drive for essential items that evacuees might need via a press release from press Wednesday calling for household items, pet supplies and books and games for children staying in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Artesia.

Domenici and his campaign team dropped off water and other supplies in Alamogordo on Thursday.

Locals Meet with Senators at ENMU Roswell

Among the thousands of Ruidoso area residents displaced this week by the fires, Ryan Trosper was grateful that some Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso campus operations found temporary housing Friday on its sister campus in Roswell as efforts to contain the fires continued.

No containment was planned for Friday as more than 1,000 firefighters were battling the fires on Friday.

More: Moisture from Gulf of Mexico could aid firefighting efforts near Ruidoso

Trosper took shelter at the New Mexico Military Institute's Godfrey Athletic Center in Roswell with a large number of Ruidoso area residents as the community opened six shelters after evacuations were ordered Monday as fires were growing.

“I’m grateful for places like this,” Trosper said.

He had the opportunity to briefly meet Heinrich Lujan while both visited the sports facilities to meet the evacuees. Trosper said ENMU Roswell was hosting campus services while the Ruidoso campus was closed indefinitely.

He said leaders of the New Mexico Military Institute and the broader southeastern New Mexico community have shown great commitment to the citizens of the Ruidoso community.

Trosper said the communities of Ruidoso and Mescalero will be on a long road to recovery.

More: Otero County volunteers and donors help with Ruidoso wildfire crisis

Governor announces more than $5 million in emergency funds for the state

On Thursday, Lujan Grisham signed executive orders authorizing funding to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Management (DHSEM) to support ongoing relief efforts.

“In the face of such a catastrophe, it is imperative to act quickly,” she said in a statement. “While there is still a long way to go to full recovery, these emergency funds will help stabilize these communities and provide much-needed assistance to those who need it.” »

The governor has directed DHSEM to coordinate all requests for assistance and responses. The Department of the National Guard would provide military support to civil authorities as needed during the emergency.

Latest fire information

RUIDOSO FIRES: Updated at 1:55 p.m. Friday June 21

South Fork Fire: Acres consumed: 16,542; % content: 0

Salt fire: Acres consumed: 7,652; % content: 0

Confirmed deaths: 2

Confirmed injuries:2

Structures lost or impacted: 1,400

Nella Domenici asked for donations for fire victims

Locals Meet with Senators at ENMU Roswell

Governor announces more than $5 million in emergency funds for the state

Latest fire information

Lina Portman

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