Congressional Delegation News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As New Mexico continues to deal with historic wildfire devastation, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are calling on Biden administration officials to immediately implement a supplemental pay increase to all federal wildland firefighters across the country.

This supplemental pay increase was secured by New Mexico Congressional Democrats in the Infrastructure Law. However, over eight months later, federal wildland firefighters still have not received it.

In a letter to U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja, the lawmakers write:

“Wildland firefighters risk their lives and exhibit tremendous courage and strength every time they respond to wildfires on the front lines. It is critical these firefighters have the resources and support necessary to combat wildfires and the pay and recognition that they deserve. Without that, we risk further recruitment and retention issues, leaving the nation less and less prepared to respond to wildfires. We strongly urge you to implement the supplemental pay increase to all federal wildland firefighters across the country immediately.”

Heinrich also recently called on OPM to establish a special pay rate for federal wildland firefighters in an effort to rebuild the ranks of the firefighting service and prevent staffing shortages.

Read the full text of the letter here.