Letter to Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States - N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls On President Biden To Grant State's Request To Expand Federal Assistance Eligibilities For Colfax, Mora, San Miguel Counties

Statement

Thank you for issuing a major disaster declaration as a result of the ongoing wildfires burning in New Mexico since April 5, 2022. While federal assistance has significantly aided our communities, the State of New Mexico will need the federal government's full support to recover from the devastation of the wildfires. As such, we write in support of the State's request for the federal government to 1) waive the non-federal cost-share requirement for the entire disaster period under DR-4652-NM; and 2) authorize federal funding for Category C-G damages in the Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel counties.

Since April 5, 2022, wildfires related to DR-4652-NM have burned over 300,000 acres, forced thousands of New Mexicans to evacuate their homes and businesses, caused two fatalities, and destroyed hundreds of homes where families have lived for generations. Much of the destruction has occurred in rural, high and persistent poverty rate communities that simply cannot afford to take on the economic strain imposed by the wildfires. Given the severity and life and death nature of this crisis, we urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico's request for 100 percent coverage of federal assistance.

Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of New Mexico recently conducted a preliminary damage assessment that identified Category C-G damages in the counties of Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel. We respectfully request FEMA to authorize federal funding for permanent work addressing Categories C-G damages in the aforementioned counties. It is imperative that the federal government provides full support to New Mexican communities to protect and recover from the ongoing wildfire devastation.