Our hearts go out to all the people and communities devastated by the fires raging around the state. New Mexicans are facing an unprecedented and catastrophic fire season, which started months early and has already burned more acreage than all of 2021.
We will take the time in the coming weeks to unpack what is happening and talk about what can – and must – be done to address root causes and climate adaptation and resiliency moving forward. We also must confront the heartbreaking truth. We are not only in a climate emergency but the state now has an unprecedented number of New Mexicans displaced by an environmental disaster.
Right now, our fellow New Mexicans from the areas being ravaged by fire need our support including shelter, food, and other necessities. We want to get as much information as we can out to you regarding the fires, evacuations and – especially – ways you and your neighbors can help the people and communities ravaged by these fires.
There are many organizational and individual efforts to collect and distribute donations. Please try to connect with an organization or effort working on the ground and find out what they need and how to get it to them. Below are some of the main resources.
In addition, please also take a moment to contact your legislator and urge them to take the climate emergency seriously and prioritize action to address the climate crisis as soon as possible. We need our leaders to act boldly in the months ahead, and your continued advocacy and voice can help make that happen.
Basic Fire Information
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- NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NMDHSEM) has coordinated with other state agencies to set up a Joint Information Task Force with consolidated fire information
- nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires
- Fire Resource Hotline: 1-800-432-2080 (Option #4)
- facebook.com/NewMexicoDHSEM
- New Mexico Fire Information (https://nmfireinfo.com; updates)
- NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NMDHSEM) has coordinated with other state agencies to set up a Joint Information Task Force with consolidated fire information
- Hermit Peak Fire Information
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- https://www.nmhu.edu/hermit/ [Highlands University]
- Local news outlets like KOAT (https://www.koat.com), KRQE (www.krqe.com), KOB (https://www.kob.com), Las Vegas Optic (https://www.lasvegasoptic.com), Santa Fe New Mexican (https://www.santafenewmexican.com)
- You can see an updated map of fire status and evacuation sites for San Miguel and Mora counties here
- KRQE and KOB have regular updates.
- Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society is taking in cats displaced by the fire; call 505-983-4309, ext. 1606. The shelter also is offering supplies for displaced pets and requests donations. They also need volunteers.
- Santa Fe County Fairgrounds is taking in dogs, chickens, horses, all livestock; call 505-471-4711. They also need volunteers, you can sign up for a shift or donate here: https://www.afterthestorksleep.com/volunteer
- Zamora Arena is being used to temporarily house livestock and horses; contact livestock inspector Matthew Romero at 575-643-6805
- Pecos Arena is sheltering livestock and horses; contact Freddy Lujan at 505-930-3986 or 505-757-3986
- Taos County Sheriff’s Posse Arena is being used to house livestock and horses; contact livestock inspector Ruben Baca at 575-770-1490
- https://www.disasterassistance.gov
- 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA)
- 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired
- All Together New Mexico
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- Launched by the Governor Lujan Grisham in collaboration with the New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations
- Grants from the fund will go to emergency shelters, food and water distribution and access to medical support
- Donations to the fund will be tax-deductible
- Gifts by check may be mailed to the Santa Fe Community Foundation, PO Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504 – please note “All Together NM Fund” on the check
- https://www.alltogethernm.org
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- Laguna Pueblo Community Foundation – Cochiti Fire Relief Fund
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- Donate: https://lagunacf.org
- Drop off supplies: Pueblo of Cochiti Checkpoint across from the Pueblo Visitor Center – 1101 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072
- For more information on making a delivery: 505-219-5982
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- Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation
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- Relief organizations with established programs in San Miguel and Mora counties can apply for funding through the Hermit’s Peak Relief Fund
- To make donations, go here
- Mail a check made out to LVNM Community Foundation (HPWRF in the memo) to PO Box 1002, Las Vegas NM 87701
- Phone Linda Anderle at (505) 652-0113
- Santa Fe Fire Department Station 5, 1130 Siler Road (1-505-955-3500) is accepting donations of food and supplies between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Items requested: nonperishable foods, sports drinks, children’s clothing and toys, diapers, personal hygiene items and paper products, as well as animal feed, troughs, hay, bowls and crates.
- State Employees Credit Union (https://www.secunm.org |1-800-983-7328) is accepting monetary donations that will go to the “Northern NM Fires” fund. The credit union also is accepting nonperishable food items, bottled water, new and unused blankets, clothing and hygiene products.
- Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity is accepting goods at the ReStore, 2520 Camino Entrada. Requested items: nonperishable food, hygiene products, cleaning products, feminine products, clothes, diapers and baby food.
- Food Depot Disaster Relief Fund (https://thefooddepot.org/disaster-relief/ | 505-471-1633) is accepting money, food, water and hygiene items for evacuees and emergency responders.
- Melissa Sandoval in Peñasco is running the emergency wildfire relief center that has recently been set up. She desperately needs volunteers to come over and help her Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (though she would appreciate help on other days as well). Melissa’s phone number is (575) 779-3057. Her assistant, Annette Sanchez is (575) 770-9042. She is also in need of supplies; call to find out more.