The White House reacted to the New Mexico wildfire that has been raging since early April. United States President Joe Biden signed a disaster declaration and announced financial aid for impacted areas.

The fire in the North-Western regions of New Mexico has now spread across 647 square kilometers of high alpine forest and grasslands at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains.

Also Read: 104,000 acre wildfire, largest in US, sparks evacuation in New Mexico

The disaster declaration was announced by Teresa Leger Fernandez, a New Mexico lawmaker. “It will help us do that rebuilding and it will help us with the expenses and the hardship that people are facing right now”, the Congresswoman said in a statement.

What is the President’s disaster declaration going to do?

The White House will be releasing emergency funds to fuel the rescue and recovery efforts of authorities in three New Mexico counties. 

A White House statement on late Wednesday said that grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses will be included in the new financial aid.

How much damage has been caused by the wildfire so far?

Nearly 170 homes have already been charred since the beginning of April. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. An estimated 15,500 homes are in this area.

Two deaths in New Mexico have also been reported in connection with the wildfire.

Also Read: Who was Barbara Fenley, deputy who died in Texas wildfires while rescuing people?

How much progress has been made so far?

Nearly 20% of the fire has been contained at its perimeter, while the remaining had flames as high as 1.6 kilometers as of Wednesday, Associated Press reported.

Airplanes and helicopters dropped slurries of red fire retardant from the sky, as officials cleared timber and brush to restrict the spread of the fire along crucial fronts. Bulldozers have also been active near the wildfire and have been working along the perimeters on the outskirts of Las Vegas.