N.M. The fire, which started as a controlled burn meant to clear brush, has since consumed more than 46,000 acres. As residents of Los Alamos, N.M. returned home today, the House of Representatives unanimously called on the federal government to take responsibility for the fire that has raged uncontrollably for nearly two weeks and damaged or destroyed over 200 homes.
Firefighters continue to battle the mighty blaze.
In a measure sponsored by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., the House urged the federal government to arrange reimbursement for the 400 families left homeless by the fire set by National Park Service officials to clear underbrush at Bandelier National Monument. This wasn't an act of God. He said preliminary estimates ran into the hundreds of millions of dollars for property damage not covered by insurance. Wilson's bill would not actually force the government to offer compensation. New Mexico's congressional leaders met today to discuss how fire victims could be compensated quickly.