Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) is seeking federal aid for wildfires that broke out recently in the state, according to KOB 4.
Lujan Grisham filed a presidential disaster declaration in May with the intent of securing nearly unlimited federal resources for the state to suppress the fires, including the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak fires, which have grown in size.
"This will be an opportunity with this declaration for recovery efforts," Lujan Grisham said. "Remember, it's public assistance, so that means focusing on watersheds, watershed restoration, mitigating, anything from monsoon seasons and flooding, picking up debris. That will also help us mitigate fire risk."
New Mexico spent almost $2 million each day to suppress the fires, and by mid-May had spent $29 million.
The expense of suppressing these flames also includes aiding individuals who were forced to evacuate and restoring damaged buildings.
Disaster declarations are usually implemented after the event has concluded, KOB 4 reported. New Mexico will become the first state to have such a declaration go into effect before the wildfires have been extinguished.
The federal government's assistance will be employed to suppress the flames and reconstruct houses and other buildings after the impact of the fire has been evaluated.