Release Number:
004
Release Date:
June 17, 2025
Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire claimants may be eligible for reimbursement for reasonable efforts taken to reduce the risks of future wildfires, flooding or other cascading impacts.
Background
Risk reduction costs can be covered under the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act. The purpose of risk reduction is to minimize risks to property from future disasters, making potential impacts far less costly and destructive. Fire-damaged properties often are more vulnerable to new threats – so it’s vital that affected claimants take the necessary steps to reduce their risks to pre-fire levels.
| Impacted property owners are required to have a valid Notice of Loss (NOL) for risk reduction with the FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office on or before March 14, 2025. Claimants must have a valid NOL requesting risk reduction, must complete the risk reduction project, and incur all costs by November 14, 2025. |
Requirements for Compensation
The table below shows the guidelines for covering risk reduction costs:
| Category | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Claimant |
|
Risk reduction project documentation
|
|
| Allowable projects |
Note: The Claims Office categorizes general erosion as reforestation and is not applicable as an allowable measure for risk reduction. |
Additional Guidelines
- A site visit may be required to verify project completion.
- Claimants may seek reimbursement for more than one risk reduction project.
- Cumulative total reimbursement for risk reduction projects is capped at 50% of the replacement cost value (i.e. the cost to rebuild a structure to its pre-fire design and function using comparable materials at present day prices). Replacement cost value will be determined by the Claims Office using a standardized methodology. Any costs that exceed this cap are the responsibility of the claimant.
- The Claims Office may recover risk reduction funds if fraud or duplication of funding are discovered, or if the project is not completed consistent with submitted project documentation.
- Claimants may be reimbursed for the costs of hiring a third-party to assess the need for risk-reduction work; the Claims Office must deem the assessment necessary.
- Activities not covered include:
- Routine maintenance, such as cleaning gutters and basic landscaping.
- Cosmetic upgrades to structures and landscape beautification.
- Unnecessary professional studies.
- Costs already paid or will be paid for by insurance or other programs or settlements.
- Contingency costs.
- If you have any questions, please reach out to your navigator.
- For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up-to-date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.