New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has recently approved a spending bill allocating $100 million in emergency aid to assist victims impacted by the wildfires and flooding in Lincoln County. Of the total amount, $70 million will be distributed to local governments as zero-interest reimbursable loans. Additionally, $10 million will be allocated for the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s losses, another $10 million for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to address fire, flooding, and debris-flow damages, and $10 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) application assistance.
The approval of House Bill 1 marks the sole legislation passed during the recent special session. Despite expressing disappointment in the Legislature’s failure to prioritize public safety during this time, Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized her relief in securing aid for crucial recovery initiatives in communities affected by the fires and flooding.
Ruidoso, a village in southern New Mexico, suffered significant devastation from wildfires in June, followed by intermittent flooding in the aftermath. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives, and more than 1,400 structures in Ruidoso were destroyed due to one of the fires ignited by lightning strikes.
