U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of the most devastating wildfires in New Mexico history, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass critical legislation to reform and modernize the federal government’s response to wildfires to better support New Mexico’s communities.
The FIRE Act, which Rep. Stansbury co-sponsors, would support New Mexicans impacted by wildfires by amending the Stafford Act that governs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that FEMA’s disaster preparedness and response efforts fully address the unique nature of wildfires and their impacts on communities.
These measures include directing FEMA to pre-deploy resources during times of high risk, improving relocation and housing assistance, and ensuring equity of assistance for Tribal communities and governments.
“This year, unprecedented wildfires devastated and displaced thousands of New Mexican families, threatened the livelihoods of our communities, and destroyed homes and businesses,” Rep. Stansbury said. “As our communities have faced the catastrophic impacts of wildfires and drought, we have a responsibility to ensure that New Mexicans have the support they need to prepare for and recover from wildfires and other natural disasters. I am proud that the FIRE Act will help communities recover and provide New Mexicans with greater protection against the impacts of wildfires.”
Rep. Stansbury’s vote to pass the FIRE Act comes as New Mexican communities recover from the largest wildfires in New Mexico history, which forced evacuations and displaced communities across the state. In September, Rep. Stansbury helped secure $2.5 billion in federal relief for New Mexicans affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
In January, Rep. Stansbury and Rep. Young Kim (Calif.-39) introduced the bipartisan National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act to improve wildfire response and protect first responders and community members during wildfires.
A fact sheet on the FIRE Act is available here, and the full text of the bill can be found here.