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(New Mexico News Connection) The FBI has joined New Mexico's local, state, federal and tribal partners to investigate the cause of two drought-fueled wildfires that have yet to be contained.

The South Fork and Salt fires began within five hours of each other on June 17.

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Alan Webber, mayor of Santa Fe, said it is proof more needs to be done about climate change. Webber noted the fires in New Mexico along with equal devastation in the upper Midwest over the weekend from flash flooding. He believes the root cause can be traced to climate change and all communities need to be working on sustainability and improved infrastructure strategies.

"That will contribute to reversing climate change and bringing our natural environment back into balance so we don't see these catastrophes," Webber contended.

New Mexico also experienced flash flooding in the past few days, forcing emergency officials to pivot from fire support to flood rescues. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state last week, making more than $5 million available in additional emergency funds to support relief efforts.

The FBI is asking anyone with information about the fires to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Webber joined the 92nd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting last week, where in addition to climate change, he said mayors talked about public safety, the mental health crisis and homelessness. Along with affordable workforce housing, he said homelessness is affecting rural, urban and suburban cities, where different approaches are needed.

"Work on vouchers, work to help get veterans housed in particular," Webber urged. "That's a very vulnerable community. Seniors are increasingly facing homelessness in cities. We have to keep them housed, so I would say this is a national priority."

The recent New Mexico fires come just two years after the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burned more than 300,000 acres, becoming the largest fire in New Mexico history.