Officials from New Mexico's rural and tribal communities were recently briefed on the wildfires that have devastated areas across the state and how they can rise again from the ashes.
The leaders were updated at the New Mexico Rural Summit that spanned two days beginning May 12, according to KOB 4.
"These are catastrophic humanitarian crises," Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico commissioner of public lands, ssaid, according to KOB 4. "The fire is one sort of emergency situation that all our resources are on the ground right now to deal with that. But once the last flame has been extinguished, the true work actually begins. Because living through forest fires in this state, we know the aftermath, we know what's next."
According to KOB 4, the fires in the Northern part of the state have already torched 300,000 acres, which lead to the evacuation of around 15,000 families. The state is working to help minimize the burden for the communities damaged, most of which are small.
While emergency responders work to contain and extinguish the fire, state officials were looking towards how to help pay for damage and rebuild, KOB 4 reported.
Some leaders were worried about how people who lost farmland and livestock would be able to sustain themselves since their source of income was destroyed. Others worried about how families who've lost their homes would be able to receive help since important paperwork was likely destroyed, KOB 4 noted.