President Joe Biden declared the New Mexico wildfires that have raged for weeks a “Great catastrophe” that would set aside millions of dollars in aid for people affected and in local recovery efforts.
“An estimated 6.000 residents had to be evacuated as major wildfires continued to spread across the southwestern US mountain state of New Mexico,” the state Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday.
One of the fires, Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak, began in mid-April as two major fires and spread across northern New Mexico more than a week ago, where high winds have lingered in 24 of the past 30 days.
While the region’s wildfire season usually begins in May or June, this year it came perilously early, CNN meteorologist Monica Garrett said last week.
Fire conditions in April were the worst the state has experienced in more than a decade.
In five U.S. states, including New Mexico, about a dozen uncontained wildfires were burning across about 1.000 square kilometers (1.000 square miles), according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Headed to survey the #CerroPeladoFire in Sandoval County and be briefed by tribal and federal agencies on the ongoing situation and firefighting efforts.
The fire is now nearly 27,000 acres with 13% containment. #NMfire pic.twitter.com/id9Rcxx8zC
— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) May 4, 2022
A widespread, very dangerous fire weather pattern peaks again this weekend & early next week. A slow-moving, strong system will be responsible for very strong winds with dry conditions not going anywhere. Ongoing fires and new starts will be able to spread rapidly. #NMwx #NMFire pic.twitter.com/qQhdZkYf5t
— NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) May 4, 2022
