A state of emergency was declared in Las Vegas recently because the area's drinking water is contaminated, according to KRQE.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) is sending $2.25 million in emergency funding to the city. Drinking water there is hazardous due to flash flooding at the burn scar from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

The funds will be used to prevent more damage and repair public infrastructure, KRQE reported. The funds will also finance a temporary pre-treatment system to clean water from Storrie Lake.

The burn scar from the largest wildfire in the state's history left ash and debris along the Gallinas River watershed, according to KRQE. Flash flooding at the burn scar engulfed the debris, affecting the city's primary water source. Officials said the city has approximately a two-month supply of safe drinking water.

"The contaminated water flow from the Gallinas caused by the wildfire damage to our watershed has compromised the availability of water to the Las Vegas municipal water system," Louie Trujillo, mayor of Las Vegas, said in a press release from the governor's office. "Rest assured that the city will be holding the federal government responsible for our current situation."

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire began after a prescribed burn started by the U.S. Forest Service grew out of control. The damage to homes, businesses, and families continues.

"The destruction that continues to befall New Mexico communities affected by the U.S. Forest Service planned burns from earlier this year is unfathomable," Lujan Grisham said in the press release. "I am very appreciative of the diligent and proactive work done by the city of Las Vegas to ensure that the municipal water system will continue to operate safely, and I am glad to provide emergency funding from the state to support that effort. New Mexicans in San Miguel County have been through enough – we will continue to do everything we can to support them and prevent additional damage as a result of the wildfires.”

Lujan Grisham will ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fully reimburse the state for costs associated with any recovery project under New Mexico's existing major disaster declaration, the press release noted. The declaration was amended to include post-fire flooding at the request of the governor.