New Mexico Governor Declares States of Emergency in 5 Counties Due to Wildfires
April 24, 2022 | New Mexico
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared states of emergency in five counties due to wildfires that have burned through large swaths of the drought-stricken state.
The democratic governor declared states of emergency for Colfax, Lincoln, San Miguel, and Valencia Counties on Friday, and issued a similar declaration for Mora County on Saturday due to the fire threat.
“This executive order makes funding and state resources available for communities battling ongoing wildfires,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.
Over 20 active wildfires were burning in at least 16 of New Mexico’s 33 counties, Grisham said during a briefing streamed online. “So half the state has a fire issue.”
The declarations for the five counties made available $3 million for the state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to help counties with emergency measures, prevent additional damages, repair infrastructure, and help lessen recovery time, according to the governor’s office.
