New Mexico’s politicians in Washington, D.C., are continuing to work on legislation to bring relief to the devastating wildfires that have plagued the Land of Enchantment.
A new bill introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez would access unlimited funding for those who have been impacted by the fires.
“I introduced, in the House, the Hermits Peak Fire Relief bill,” Leger Fernández told KOB. “That is intended to provide compensation to all those individuals or organizations or counties that have suffered direct harm because of the Hermit’s Peak Fire.”
According to KOB, under the bill, relief would cover three main areas: loss of property, business loss and financial loss. The bill also would provide funds for the loss of landscapes, clean water and grazing areas, among other things, according to the KOB report.
“We have not in any way limited the amount of money that could be paid out in compensation, you cannot do that until the fire is over,” Leger Fernández told KOB.
Individuals, local governments and organizations would have two years after the fires are over to assess damages and make their claims. The federal funds would go to residents who do not have insurance and also cover what insurance companies don’t.
State legislators are also exploring how the fires started and determining if any preventative action can be taken. According to KOB, Leger Fernández wrote to the U.S. Forest Service to ask about the start of the Hermits Peak Fire after a prescribed burn. She told KOB she’s still waiting for a full response but has spoken to the chief forester.
“He shared with me some additional facts that they have announced an investigation into the prescribed burn, and how that got out of control,” she told KOB. “I’m looking forward to that. The chief forester also told me that he will be spending time in New Mexico, I think he should be there today."