Wildland firefighters

An analysis of U.S. Forest Service data by a wildland firefighter advocacy group shows that wildfire mitigation efforts in New Mexico – including prescribed burns and other hazardous fuel treatments – are down by over 50% since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The core of the law aims to put the money into people’s hands to “fire-proof” their homes. But some lawmakers worried it may violate New Mexico’s constitution.

As several fires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area, New Mexico deployed personnel and equipment to California Thursday.

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have earmarked money to permanently boost federal wildland firefighter pay — leaving advocates cautiously optimistic.

This summer, Congress is set to look at President Joe Biden’s budgetary requests for FY 2025. Included in that is $1.6 billion for the Interior Department to reduce wildfire risk.

Come Sunday, if there’s no movement in Congress, firefighters will be expected to man the fire line without pay.