Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico is now eligible for federal assistance to help combat the fire in Sandoval County.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration; FEMA approved the state's request for assistance early this morning.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 94 homes, two horse farms, and some businesses in and around the town of Corrales.  In addition, a fish hatchery and some endangered birds were threatened.  The fire started on May 23, 2010, and had burned in excess of 145 acres of State and private land.  Evacuations were issued for approximately 140 individuals and one shelter had been opened.

"I'm glad FEMA moved so quickly to aid New Mexico in fighting this fire.  With these additional resources I am hopeful the blaze will soon be brought under control," Bingaman said.

Under the terms of the grant, the federal government picks up 75 percent of the share of firefighting costs associated with the following:

• Equipment and supplies;
• Emergency work and operations centers;
• Personal comfort and safety items for firefighter health and safety;
• Mobilization and demobilization costs;
• Temporary repair of damage caused by firefighting activities;
• Mitigation, management, and control of declared fires burning on co-mingled federal land, when such costs are not reimbursable by another federal agency.