Wildfire Resources

As your representative in Congress, it is an honor to serve you and fight for the issues that matter most to our community. That includes wildfire awareness and prevention.

As many of you know, our beautiful state of New Mexico is no stranger to the threat of wildfires. The scorching temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds create the perfect conditions for these devastating natural disasters. It is our collective responsibility to take proactive steps to protect our homes, lands, and lives.

Wildfires can have catastrophic consequences for our communities, leading to the destruction of properties, wildlife habitats, and natural resources. They also pose significant risks to human health, causing respiratory issues due to the smoke and exacerbating respiratory conditions such as asthma.

This page provides resource to keep you and your family safe from fires. If you have any questions or need assistance with any of the programs below, please call my office at 202-225-2365.

Fire Monitoring:

Monitoring the current situation is an important part of wildfire preparedness. To view an interactive map of wildfires in New Mexico, click here or see below.

Preparation:

Nine out of ten of fires are caused by humans. The US Fire Administration, the Department of the Interior, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have tips for mitigating the risk of fires. 

• Only use propane, charcoal and wood pellet barbecue grills outside. Indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Place your grill well away from siding and deck railings and out from under eaves or overhanging branches.
• Keep a 3-foot safe zone around your grill. This will keep kids and pets safe.
• Keep an eye on your grill. Don't walk away from it when it is lit.
• Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire.
• Place the coals from your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.
• Do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony.
• Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs and anything that can burn.
• Use chimneys, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits outdoors at least 10 feet away from your home or anything that can burn.
• Closely watch children when the fire pit is in use.
• Use a metal screen over wood-burning fires to keep sparks from floating out.
• Turn off or put out fires before you leave the area.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's sight and reach.
• Fireworks are dangerous to people and pets. Using them puts your property at risk.
• The best way to stay safe from fireworks is to not use them. Instead, attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals.

Vehicles are a major cause of forest fires. To keep you and your community safe

• Ensure that all towing chains are kept off the ground (sparks from a dragging chain have caused many fires).
• Get regular maintenance performed on your vehicle, especially on the exhaust system.
• Close and secure all spare gasoline cans.

As a homeowner, maintenance is also very important in preventing forest fires. The the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that homeowners:

• Make an emergency plan for your home and anywhere that you frequent (office, daycare, etc.). Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands what to do if you need to quickly evacuate.
• Make sure that your important documents (ID, insurance policies, personal documents) are up to date. Make copies of these documents and store them in a secure password-protected digital space.
• Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate or make repairs.
• Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
• Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
• Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
• Know your evacuation zone and practice your evacuation route with your household.
• If you are able, gather enough supplies for your household including a first aid kit, medications, food, water, N95 masks, and portable batteries. 

The U.S. Fire Administration also recommends that homeowners:

• Keep gutters clear of debris.

Wildfires are incredibly destructive, but preparation can help to mitigate the risks. These steps can help to keep you and your loved ones safe from the devastating effects of forest fires.

Evacuation:

Plan an evacuation route in the case of fire. Fires can be dangerous camping, at home, or at your workplace. Also ensure that children at school and daycare are accounted for in evacuation plans. It is also recommended that you:

• SIGN UP with the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Departments for active wildfire updates.
• Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which requires no-sign up.
• Pay attention to air quality alerts.

In the event that an evacuation is necessary, the U.S. Forest Service provides this checklist of things to do/have prepared:

• Have at least 1/2 tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
• Flashlight, portable radio.
• Round up your pets: get them secured and ready to go into the car with no way of escape before they are loaded into the car (this is especially important with cats).
• Make a prior arrangement to contact a neighbor or friend who might be available to help you in an evacuation situation with loading or driving a second or third vehicle, or to help with large animals such as horses/ penned animals etc.
• Have pet carriers, leashes, food bowls, food, litter boxes, litter, and other pet needs ready to go & ready for car (store in a secure place so these are easily loaded into the car).
• Have very important files, back up disks, plug in USB virtual drive, small compact file box ready to go. Include such things as homeowners policy, auto policies, life & investment files, bank records, legal documents, licenses, etc. (or store in a fireproof safe or fireproof bunker).
• Computer CPU (hard drive most important) if you have no back ups.
• Photograph albums, photo CDs, etc, Have these ready, packed, stored in a secure place to go immediately into car (or store in a fireproof safe).
• Cameras & expensive jewelry or important electronic devices.
• Suitcase filled with old but useable clothing, socks, underwear, jackets, sweatshirt, extra shoes, etc. Keep this packed ahead.
• Include a bag for him and for her of toiletry items, including: deodorant, disposable shavers, extra toothbrushes, shampoo & shaving cream, toothpaste, extra regular medications to last a few days.
• If you have enough room, consider a few items from your camping or picnic supplies. Pillows & light blankets (in case you might have to sleep outside while evacuated).
• If time, draft email, send to friends and family about your intentions.
• All household & car keys, wallet, handbag, cell phones & any credit cards you keep in a drawer that you might need.
• Complete phone list or phone address book (snail and email), including cell phones of neighbors and family.
• Special or valuable items (make your own list).
• Close all windows, close all interior doors, remove curtains from area of windows.
• Turn off propane gas at tank, remove BBQ propane tank, take it with you or store in a secure place such as a bunker or away from your house.

Returning home:

After an emergency evacuation, FEMA recommends that you:

• Do not return home until authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines, foundation cracks and other exterior damage. It may be too dangerous to enter the home until an inspector checks it out.
• Turn the main electrical power and water systems off until you or a professional can ensure that they are safe. NEVER turn the power on or off or use an electrical tool or appliance if in water.
• Smell for gas. If you smell natural gas or propane, or if you hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and contact the fire department.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
• When cleaning, wear protective clothing  including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes during clean-up efforts.
• Use a respirator to limit your exposure, and wet debris to minimize breathing dust particles.
• People with asthma, COPD and/or other lung conditions should take precautions in areas with poor air quality, as it can worsen symptoms.
• Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
• Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.

In the event of damage, the State of New Mexico has a variety of resources for dealing with the fallout from wildfires. Contact the Office of Superintendent of Insurance (osi.state.nm.us) if insurance issues arise.

Financial Recovery:

A wildfire can be financially devastating. The federal government is here to help you and your family to get back on your feet. The Small Business Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, and Internal Revenue Service, provide financial support for families whose homes, property, or agriculture operations were damaged in natural disasters.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from  7 a.m. to 10 p.m. MT daily. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 

If you are applying for FEMA assistance, and are staying with friends, family or at a shelter due to mandatory evacuations, please note, you will have an opportunity to specify that the extent of your home damage is unknown when applying for disaster assistance and you can update the status of your home when it's safe to return.

When you apply for assistance, please have the following information ready: 

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. 

Small Business Administration (SBA) 

A Major Disaster Declaration unlocks assistance from the Small Business Administration. Businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters, including civil unrest can qualify for the following resources:

• Loans For Individuals and Families:
  • Homeowners: up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $1000,000 to replace personal property.
  • Renters: up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property. Federal, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses, homeowners, and renters.
• Loans For Businesses:
  • Property Damage: up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations).
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans: only for small businesses and most private non-profit organizations suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2,000,000 for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume.

To find out if you are eligible for SBA Assistance: visit sba.gov/disaster, call 800-659-2955, or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The USDA has several disaster assistance programs for crop and livestock losses; to rehabilitate farmland, watersheds, and forests; and to provide support for rural businesses and homes.

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs- Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.
• The Emergency Watershed Protection Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest landowners can apply for resource assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Recovery assistance includes but is not limited to: immediate soil erosion protection, minimizing noxious and invasive plant proliferation, protecting water quality, restoring livestock infrastructure necessary for grazing management, and emergency animal mortality management.
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) Programs provide a range of benefits to private landowners, including repairing fencing, planting trees, and road repair to restore forest health.
• The Emergency Conservation Program provides funding assistance to farmers and ranchers to repair damaged farmland and to install methods of water conservation.
• The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides benefits for grazing losses due to wildfire. LFP benefits may also be available for loss of grazing acres due to wildfires on federally managed lands on which a producer is prohibited, by a federal agency, from grazing normally permitted livestock.
• The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government.
• The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, not covered by LFP and LIP.
• The Emergency Loan Program provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine by animal quarantine laws or imposed by the Secretary under the Plant Protection Act.
• The Disaster Set-Aside Program provides producers who have existing direct loans with FSA who are unable to make the scheduled payments to move up to one full years payment to the end of the loan. Assistance is available in counties, or contiguous counties, who have been designated as emergencies by the President, Secretary or FSA Administrator.
• Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) pays covered producers of covered non insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters (including native grass for grazing). Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for the current crop year.
• Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters. 

To learn about all USDA agricultural operation recovery programs, visit https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/wildfire 

To find your local office, visit 
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center

To learn more about USDA Disaster resources, visit https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/disaster-resource-center 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes as well as various deductions and income exclusions for disaster-related assistance. Both individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area may receive a faster refund by claiming losses related to the disaster on the tax return for the previous year, usually by filing an amended return.

To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businessesv  or call the IRS toll-free number for general tax questions at 800-829-1040.

Emotional Recovery:

After a disaster, it is important to tend to your emotional well-being and look out for signs of distress. During this difficult time, remember to stay active, spend time with others, take breaks, and participate in activities you enjoy.

New Mexico offers 24/7 support to anyone experiencing an emotional, mental, or substance use crisis. To reach the crisis hotline, call 988 or text TALK to 988. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) also operates the Disaster Distress Helpline to support survivors, family members, responders, and recovery workers who are affected by wildfires and other disasters. Trained counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year. To reach the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, call or text 800-985-5990. 

To find information on helping your children cope, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/children-and-school-preparedness/before-during-after/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html.

Replacing Documents:

It is possible that you may have left some of your important documentation behind when you evacuated. To learn more about replacing these documents, please refer to the links below or call my office for assistance. If you have any issues when working directly with a federal agency, please contact my office as well.