NM Firefighters Assist On Oregon Wildfires
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: George Ducker
Communications Coordinator
george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov
505-699-0601
August 5, 2024
New Mexico Firefighters assist with Oregon wildfires
State resources provide interstate aid as fires grow to over one million acres
SANTA FE – Wildland firefighters from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division are now in Oregon to help combat the numerous wildfires raging across the state.
“Sadly, Oregon is currently overwhelmed by wildfire demands, and we’re grateful to be in a position to offer our support,” said State Forester Laura McCarthy. “Our ability to assist is a testament to the capacity that we’ve built in our wildfire response programs over the past year.”
Over the last month, Oregon has seen rapid wildfire expansion, with 126 fires scorching over 1.2 million acres. New Mexico state wildfire crews will complete a 14-day assignment assisting the Oregon Department of Forestry in combating these fires.
Oregon and New Mexico both face severe wildfire challenges due to climate change, with rising temperatures and increased drought making wildfires larger and more rapid than ever before. In June, wildfire crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry traveled south to support suppression efforts during the devastating South Fork and Salt fires in Ruidoso. This kind of interstate assistance is often utilized when one state has the resources to assist another.
This year, the New Mexico Forestry Division launched two new wildland fire crews: the Pecos River crew in Las Vegas, and the Mimbres crew in Socorro. These crews, along with the Rio Grande crew, and the state’s emergency hire firefighters, providing more than 80 individuals and six wildland fire engines to support Oregon.
More information about the state’s wildland fire response crews can be found on the Forestry Division’s website .
Figures 1, 2 : Forestry Division’s Rio Grande crew assists with the Battle Mountain Complex fire in Oregon. Photos by Victor Lujan
Link to this press release available here .
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The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection and renewable energy resource development services to the public and other state agencies.
https://www.emnrd.nm.gov