State of New Mexico

Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2024-033

DECLARING AN EMERGENCY IN LINCOLN COUNTY AND THE MESCALERO APACHE RESERVATION DUE TO WILDFIRES AND AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WHEREAS, Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation are being severely impacted by the Salt Fire and South Fork Fire, which began on June 17, 2024;

WHEREAS, the Salt Fire and South Fork Fire have already burned nearly 20,000 acres and are 0% contained;

WHEREAS, over 500 structures have been impacted by the fires thus far;

WHEREAS, the fires have led to the evacuation of the Village of Ruidoso and may require other nearby communities to evacuate;

WHEREAS, the Mescalero Apache Tribe has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency due to these fires;

WHEREAS, Lincoln County has issued a local disaster declaration, confirming that all local resources available are insufficient to cope with the resulting situation and requesting aid, assistance, relief programs, and funding from the State of New Mexico;

WHEREAS, this disaster requires immediate action to protect public peace, health, and safety; and

WHEREAS, this disaster is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and requires the resources of the State of New Mexico to minimize economic or physical harm and to take actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico do hereby DECLARE a state of emergency to exist in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the Salt Fire and South Fork Fire, and ORDER and DIRECT as follows:

1. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shall coordinate all requests for assistance and responses to such requests under the authority of and as determined by the Governor or her Authorized Representative. In addition to such other eligibility criteria as may be established by the Governor or her Authorized Representative, applicants requesting financial assistance from the State for necessary action taken in response to the emergency shall be required to demonstrate that the cost of the necessary action exceeds their available resources, as determined based upon criteria developed in conjunction with the State agencies, if any, with financial and budgetary oversight responsibilities for the applicant.
2. The Adjutant General shall order into service any elements of the New Mexico National Guard as are or may be needed to provide military support to civil authorities as needed for this emergency. This action is pursuant to and in accordance with NMSA 1978, Sections 20- 1-1 to -8, NMSA 1978, Sections 20-2-1 to -8, and NMSA 1978, Sections 20-4-1 to -14. Such emergency assistance shall be provided during the period of need at the discretion of the Governor or her Authorized Representative.
3. All Cabinet Departments and agencies under gubernatorial control shall provide any assistance that may be required by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or by the State Emergency Operations Center under the authority of the Governor's Authorized Representative.

I FURTHER ORDER and DIRECT as follows:

1. This Order supersedes any previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until renewed, modified, or rescinded.

DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 18TH DAY OF JUNE 2024
 
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:
​​​​
MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER 
SECRETARY OF STATE