Firefighters explain how achieving Hotshot status helps NM [Video]

3.3% FOR THE YEAR THAT ENDED IN DECEMBER, WHEN SERIOUS WILDFIRES BROKE OUT IN NEW MEXICO. OFFICIALS HAVE TO CALL IN FEDERAL HOTSHOT CREWS OR CREWS FROM OTHER STATES TO HELP. NOW, NEW MEXICO IS TRAINING HOTSHOT CREWS OF ITS OWN. ONLY ON SEVEN. CORY HOWARD SHARES THEIR STORY. GOOD JOB. COME ON, FINISH STRONG. THERE’S NOTHING EASY ABOUT BECOMING A CERTIFIED HOTSHOT CREW. WE ALWAYS CHOOSE TO DO THE HARD RIDE OVER THE EASY. WRONG. WHEN WILDFIRES BREAK OUT, SOME OF THE NATION’S BEST FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND. AND HAVING ONE OF THOSE CREWS RIGHT HERE IN NEW MEXICO COULD BE VITAL. THAT’S WHY A CREW FROM SOCORRO CALLED THE MEMBERS WANTS TO CHIEF HOTSHOT STATUS. THE STATE WANTS A TYPE ONE HOTSHOT CREW, AND WE HAVE. WE’RE BUILDING TWO OF THEM. IN 2023, LAWMAKERS APPROVED $1.3 MILLION TO DEVELOP TWO HOTSHOT CREWS. AFTER THAT, THE HERMIT PEAK CALF CANYON FIRE …