DFTO supports New Mexico claims offices

Members of the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ Disaster Field Training Operations team are supporting FEMA claims offices in Santa Fe, Mora, and Las Vegas, New Mexico, for the 2022 Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fires.

Currently, 16 members of the team are in New Mexico – 8 deployed to the claims offices, 6 serving as navigators processing claims, and 2 serving as staff coaches assisting with software navigations and claims processing. Additionally, DFTO Cadre Coordinator Dr. Rhonda Booth is serving as a leadership and training program consultant.

The Hermit’s Peak Fire began in April 2022 approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, New Mexico, at the base of Hermits Peak in the Pecos Wilderness. It was the result of unexpected winds spreading a prescribed burn in the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.

The Calf Canyon Fire was caused by a pile burn holdover which had remained dormant through three winter snow events before reemerging, also in April 2022. A holdover fire, also called a sleeper fire, is a fire that remains dormant for a considerable time.

The fires raged for about four months and collectively burned more than 340,000 acres.

To date, FEMA has paid more than $500 million on nearly 2,500 claims relating to the fires. Nearly $350 million of that has been paid to individuals and households.