New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has declared a state of emergency in response to the Dog Head Wildfire affecting portions of Bernalillo and Torrance Counties. The Governor has also directed state agencies to offer all available resources to assist local authorities in the affected areas.
“Our first priority is the health and safety of New Mexicans in the affected areas and communities,” Governor Martinez said. “I’ve directed our state agencies to offer all available resources to assist our local partners in responding to the fire, and we’ll continue to coordinate with the emergency response team to monitor the fire. Property can be replaced, but lives cannot – as our coordinated response to the fire continues, I ask New Mexicans to be mindful of this, and to not take unnecessary risks.”
The Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency will enable counties to order and pay for additional resources needed to help with this emergency. Earlier today, the Governor also ordered the activation of New Mexico’s Emergency Operations Center to assist in the coordinated response to the fire.
State agencies such as the New Mexico State Police, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, New Mexico State Forestry, and others are assisting with the response to the fire. The Governor has also directed the New Mexico National Guard to be prepared to assist with the response if needed.
The Dog Head Wildfire is affecting areas of Bernalillo and Torrance Counties, and has burned approximately 2,000 acres so far. State and local authorities will continue to monitor and respond to the fire through a coordinated effort as the situation develops.