Millions spent after fire is contained

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The federal government, especially the U.S. Forest Service, shelled out millions to help fight wildfires in New Mexico this year.

Now the Feds are shelling out millions more to deal with the vast damage done by the flames.

Two of the most destructive fires in New Mexico's history have left quite a mark. The 'Little Bear' fire near Ruidoso wiped out more than 240 houses. The 'Whitewater-Baldy Complex' fire, the largest in state history, has consumed almost 300,000 acres of the Gila National Forest.

Fire crews have both of them under control but the fight is long but over.

"When it comes to fires, rain is good. When it comes after a fire it's a little more of a challenge," said U.S. Forest Service's Penny Luehring.

As New Mexico get into monsoon season, the rain could be dangerous in the burned areas. It could bring erosion, water runoff and flooding.

Luehring approves any and all federal money given out all over the country for the Burned Area Emergency Response and right now she says New Mexico needs the most.

The Feds paid $43 million to fight the fires. Now, it is spending another $23 million to help prevent flooding and mud slides.

"We're trying to keep the soil on the hill slope. We're trying to prevent, to the extent at which we can, the flooding downstream," said Luehring.

Airplanes are dropping seeds to about 26,000 acres in the Gila. Last week they seeded the 'Little Bear' burn scar.

The emergency teams think this is enough money. They have a year to request more if they think they need it.

"The problem with recovery is that sometimes it can take up to five or 10 years," said Luehring.

Flooding happens well after a fire has been put out, like we saw recently in the Santa Clara Pueblo a year after the Las Conchas Fire.

Emergency response teams do need the rain, though. It will help the grass seeds sprout, which can take a couple of weeks.