N.M. Sen. Domenici Says FEMA Will Provide Aid for Bernardo Fire

U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide the state of New Mexico with federal assistance for costs associated with fighting the Bernardo Fire in Socorro County.

The fire started on June 18, and burned in excess of 60 acres of State and private land. FEMA has declared the destruction a major disaster, making efforts to fight the fire eligible for reimbursement.

“I’m pleased that once again FEMA has stepped up to provide aid for New Mexico,” Domenici said. “The appropriate authorities acted quickly to prevent further spread of the Bernardo Fire, but there were still substantial costs involved in fighting it.”

The funds will be provided under FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant program, which allows for the “mitigation, management, and control” of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.

Among the costs that are eligible for reimbursement are equipment and supplies, emergency work, operation of a command center, personal comfort and safety items for firefighters, field camps and meals, and temporary repair of damage caused by firefighting activities.

In each case, the federal government is authorized to reimburse up to 75 percent of the expenses.