A package of bills announced by New Mexico state Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández and Melanie Stansbury would offer additional assistance to wildfire victims and also ensure wildland firefighters are paid at least $20 an hour.
The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, a group of nearly 50 bills, was announced during a recent press conference at the House of Representatives; a KOB 4 news report said. While it would benefit several western states, it would also benefit victims of the wildfires that ravaged New Mexico earlier this year, including the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.
“The bill is like a gentle monsoon rain falling on our parched landscape,” Leger Fernández said at the press conference. “It brings both hope and solutions.”
The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire was the largest fire in the history of the state and one of several fires that destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes, businesses and ranches. Firefighters spent the better part of three months battling the fires and trying to save as much property as possible.
During the gathering to announce the bills, Leger Fernández also read the names of the four Bernalillo County first responders who lost their lives in a helicopter crash after fighting a wildfire near Las Vegas in early July. Lt. Fred Beers, Undersheriff Larry Koren, Deputy Michael Levison and Rescue Specialist Matthew King were honored for their service and for making the ultimate sacrifice.
“We honor their legacy by improving the working conditions for their colleagues,” Leger Fernández said. “Our fighters stand strong and steady, they fight to protect our communities, but they deserve a better wage because it isn’t enough to just say thank you. We must pay them what they deserve and this bill does that for our wildland firefighters.”