This past June, a flaming vehicle ignited a blaze overnight on the Organ Mountains east of Las Cruces.
Because Doña Ana County did not have 24-hour service, Chief Nick Hempel told ABC-7 that all the county firefighters who responded overnight were volunteers.
"The truth is, it is difficult," Hempel said. "The amount of effort we're asking from our volunteers is huge."
But on Tuesday, commissioners approved the salaries for six new firefighters and two new lieutenants in the county. Doña Ana County is now within months of offering 24-hour fire service to the public for the first time.
"On duty, 24 hours a day and seven days a week will be huge," Hempel said.