Gov. Susana MartinezSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that she has requested damage assessments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the areas and communities affected by the Dog Head Fire.
“The Dog Head Fire continues to have a devastating impact on residents in affected communities,” Martinez said. “Even as our state, local, and federal partners continue to move forward with our coordinated response around the clock to protect lives and property, it’s important for us to begin preparing for the aftermath as well, and this request is part of that process. We will continue to look for all available resources at our disposal to assist the communities affected by the Dog Head Fire.”
A federal damage assessment in the affected areas will help determine what, if any, additional assistance communities and the state may be eligible for in the aftermath of the Dog Head Fire. FEMA has strict criteria and guidelines that accompany these assessments.
Today’s request is the latest in a series of actions from Martinez as part of the continuing coordinated response to the Dog Head Fire. Martinez has activated the New Mexico Emergency Operations Center, and declared a state of emergency to enable counties to order and pay for additional resources needed to help with this emergency.
State agencies such as the New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico State Police, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, New Mexico State Forestry, and others are assisting with the response to the fire. Martinez recently directed the New Mexico National Guard to take extra measures to secure evacuated communities and prepare for flooding, with additional guardsmen patrolling communities to stop threats of looting and placing sandbags and other controls in affected areas to help stop potential flood damage. Martinez also recently announced that the state has secured a federal grant that will cover 75 percent of the cost of suppressing the fire.
Martinez continues to receive regular briefings on the coordinated response to the Dog Head Fire. On Thursday, Martinez joined the New Mexico National Guard for a flyover of the affected areas to survey the damage. Martinez has also been on the ground in affected communities every day since Wednesday, including attending public meetings in affected communities, meeting with first responders, and helping serve meals to firefighters and evacuated residents.
The Dog Head Fire is affecting areas of Bernalillo and Torrance Counties, and has burned nearly 18,000 acres since it was first reported on June 14, and it has destroyed more than twenty residences so far. More than 900 local, state, and federal personnel are involved in the coordinated response to the fire.
