New Mexico is being reimbursed more than $7 million for the cost of fighting two wildfires in 2011.
The funding was announced Thursday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It covers the costs of personnel, equipment and local and national firefighting agreements that stemmed from the Track Fire in northeastern New Mexico and the Donaldson Fire in the south.
The lightning-sparked Donaldson Fire charred more than 158 square miles, making it one of the state's worst fires in 2011. Part of the fire burned on a ranch owned by newsman Sam Donaldson.
The Track Fire forced the evacuation of several hundred residents near Raton and the closure of Interstate 25 near the New Mexico-Colorado border. Fire officials said the blaze was sparked by exhaust from an all-terrain vehicle.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.