New Mexico wildfires have become increasingly disastrous, and have demanded an even greater urgency for the removal of our dependence on fossil fuels.
In times of displacement, it can be extremely challenging to know where to start to make logistical decisions, but federal disaster relief funding and state operations are here to help the residents of the Ruidoso area following the South Fork & Salt Fires.
The Los Alamos Daily Post published the following information from the Office of the Governor regarding the availability of a Disaster Recovery Center and assistance from several state agencies now open in the Roswell, NM Convention Center:
- Applications for Snap benefits and other assistance programs.
- Unemployment.
- WIC.
- Insurance claims or checking on policies.
- Additional living expense payments.
- Help getting documents for existing Medicaid policies.
- Applying for Medicaid.
- Peer support.
Applications for Federal Disaster Assistance are now open. Individuals in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA application helpline at 800.621.3362. Calls are accepted 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. MT daily.
For those who cannot or do not wish to go to the Disaster Recovery Center, the following are resources available and how to get information or apply by calling the state’s 24/7 Fire Hotline at 1.833.663.4736 or visit dhsem.nm.gov/nmwildfires.
