U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) sent a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that communities in New Mexico and nationwide receive the federal resources they need to respond to and prevent wildfires. 

When a wildfire threatens to become a major disaster on non-federal public lands or privately owned land, states, Tribes, and local governments can request FEMA’s Fire Management Assistant Grants (FMAGs) to help provide critical funding for firefighting equipment, supplies, and personnel costs. An FMAG designation can also unlock Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire funding for mitigation work to help impacted communities rebuild after a fire is extinguished. Since 2025, however, many states have not been approved for HMGP Post Fire Funding, and HMGP funding has not been approved for any major disaster declarations.

The prompt approval and disbursement of those mitigation funds are especially critical now, as forecasters predict that western and southeastern states remain at an elevated risk of wildfire after an already-active wildfire season. With more than 3.1 million acres already burned this year across the country and elevated wildfire risk expected to continue, timely approval of FEMA funds is imperative for states, Tribes, and local governments to manage and mitigate active and future wildfires respectively.

“These wildfires can be lethal and destroy critical infrastructure and entire residential communities, negatively affect public health through harmful smoke and air pollutants, and place large economic burdens on urban and rural communities,” the senators wrote to Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr.

“As we approach the summer months and prepare for above normal wildfire activity, we urge you to ensure FEMA can quickly respond to future wildfires and that FMAG and HMGP Post Fire funds are promptly approved and distributed to communities, including those in rural areas,” the senators underscored.

The senators concluded their letter by asking the Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator to explain how the agency will:

• Ensure communities receive timely wildfire assistance;
• Address barriers preventing rural communities from accessing FMAG assistance;
• Improve the implementation of HMGP and HMGP Post Fire funding;
• Reduce bureaucratic delays and reimbursement backlogs;
• Implement outstanding GAO recommendations regarding FMAG implementation and assistance for immediate post-wildfire mitigation;
• Clarify recent changes to grant approval policies; and
• Provide transparency about the future of FEMA’s wildfire mitigation programs.

The letter is led by U.S. Sen. Jackie Rosen (D- Nev.). Alongside Heinrich, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz), Ron Wyden (D-Ariz.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

The full text of the letter is here.