Pres. Joe Biden approved Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's request to declare a presidential disaster in New Mexico, according to a press release from the governor's office.
This designates that New Mexico needs disaster relief due to the wildfires currently blazing throughout the state. Through the declaration, the state will be able to access millions of dollars in federal funds to help fight and suppress the flames, as well as help rebuild communities.
"New Mexicans cannot wait for these fires to be extinguished to receive relief," Lujan Grisham said in the press release. "That's why I expedited the state's request for emergency aid for individuals, and I'm grateful to President Biden for recognizing the urgency of the situation in our state."
Seeking a presidential disaster declaration is often a lengthy procedure that occurs weeks after a natural disaster has concluded, the press release noted. But, New Mexico officials collaborated with the federal government to help accelerate the process and secure immediate assistance for the state.
New Mexico officials reportedly utilized research and statistics to demonstrate how a statewide windstorm significantly exacerbated the fires, according to the press release. This allowed the state to quickly achieve the financial threshold for losses and make federal aid accessible for state residents impacted by the fires.