Press Releases

August 7, 2024 – U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) are welcoming $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to support disaster-relief jobs and training services in communities affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires. 

This federal funding is provided through the Major Disaster Declaration President Joe Biden issued — at the urging of the N.M. Delegation — for Lincoln County, Otero County, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.  

“While the South Fork and Salt Fires have been contained, the damage they left on our communities remains. This $2.8 million grant package from the Department of Labor will help heal the physical and economic wounds caused by these wildfires. $2 million will go to New Mexico’s Department of Workforce Solutions to offer disaster response training and temporary jobs to affected workers and communities. The remaining $800,000 will go directly to cleanup and recovery activities in Lincoln and Otero counties and on the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s Reservation.” said Leger Fernández. “It will take generations to heal the land and our communities, but these funds will help us begin.” 

"While community, state, and federal leadership is working together to ensure support is available and accessible for Lincoln and Otero County residents, cleanup efforts and rebuilding are critical," said Stansbury. "Thanks to the Department of Labor and the Biden Administration, this $800,000 will help provide more people with temporary employment in the cleanup and recovery sector, and it will go a long way to helping these impacted communities." 

“I am proud to bring home $800,000 in emergency funding to support the recovery from the South Fork and Salt Fires,” said Vasquez. “New Mexico has faced detrimental natural disasters that have hurt our communities, and the federal government must step up to rebuild trust in our ability to deliver. This is one of many steps to do that, and I look forward to continue advocating for New Mexico and securing much-needed relief to our state.” 

“We need to ensure communities and families affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires have all the resources they need to make a full recovery,” said Heinrich. “This $800,000 investment is one of the first steps to help Lincoln and Otero County do that — while supporting jobs and training that will help communities clean up and rebuild.”  

“I am proud to welcome $800,000 from the Department of Labor to support recovery efforts from the South Fork and Salt Fires,” said Luján. “This grant will provide jobs that will aid in rebuilding and cleaning up our community and help those affected get back on their feet. These critical investments, made possible through the major disaster declaration, will help restore stability from the devastation of these fires.” 

For more information on this grant from the Department of Labor, click here. 

The N.M. Delegation successfully urged President Biden to swiftly approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The Major Disaster Declaration opened up access to Public Assistance and Individual Assistance from FEMA. Public Assistance supports the restoration and reconstruction of public infrastructure and lands. Individual Assistance supports families with losses suffered due to the fires. For more information on how to apply for these resources, click here.  

In June, Heinrich and Luján, Stansbury, and Vasquez met with families, local and Tribal leaders, first responders, and emergency operation commanders in Roswell, Ruidoso, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Additionally, Leger Fernandez, Stansbury, and Vasquez honored victims of the South Fork and Salt Fires on the House Floor with a moment of silence.