
Biden pledges federal government will cover "100%" of New Mexico wildfire response cost
CNN
President Joe Biden said Saturday the federal government will cover the full cost of the wildfire response in New Mexico following requests from the state's governor and other lawmakers, while also acknowledging the role the US Forest Service played in starting the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.
"I think we have a responsibility as a government to deal with the communities who are put in such jeopardy. And today I am announcing that the federal government is covering 100% of the cost," Biden said to applause in Santa Fe.
The fire, which is at over 300,000 scorched acres, is the largest wildfire ever in the state. Additionally, the Black Fire continues to burn in New Mexico and is the second-largest fire in state history, with more than 298,000 acres burned -- meaning the two largest fires in state history have occurred in this record-paced wildfire year and are still burning.