SANTA FE, NM – More than 300 comments about the interim rule were submitted online and at six public meetings during the 60-day public comment period which closed on Jan. 13. Your input is being used to shape the final regulations, but many activities remain underway to keep the claims process moving, and keep you informed along the way.
“I want to thank everyone who provided comments at the public meetings and online, including our Tribal Nations and state partners,” said Angela Gladwell, Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office. “We are using your ideas and concerns to shape the final regulations and program implementation as we get ready to open offices.”
What to Expect Next
We are working to build out the Claims Office team and offices. Our team met with more than a hundred potential candidates at three hiring fairs and reviewed resumes submitted by email. The Office is working to review candidate qualifications and match skilled candidates with positions with the intent to fill as many positions with qualified New Mexicans from the impacted areas as possible. Hiring will be conducted in phases.
The Office expects to begin on boarding full-time, dedicated staff in February. Local claims offices in Mora, Las Vegas and Santa Fe are expected to open within the next two months. We will also announce schedules for mobile offices.
There are things you can do as we make final preparations to open the claims offices. The first step is filing a Notice of Loss form. Submitting this form means you would like to begin the claims process and that you are choosing to seek compensation for losses from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire through the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act.
You can also gather and prepare any paperwork related to your damaged property or claim for losses from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
If you haven’t filled out a Notice of Loss form yet, visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak#form for a link to download or print the form. For instructions on how to file, including where to submit your form by email or by mail, visit fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema.gov_hermits-peak-calf-canyon-fire_how-to-submit-notice-of-loss-form_20221114.pdf.
If you have already submitted a Notice of Loss: As our Claims offices begin to open, we will soon follow up with you to ensure the Notice of Loss is complete, and then we will formally acknowledge receipt of your form. Once the Office reviews your form, confirms it is complete and acknowledges it, the Claims Office will have 180 days to make a determination on the amount of payment to compensate you for your losses.
The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act provides compensation for those impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. Compensation may cover eligible losses, including personal injury, loss of property, business loss or financial loss. For more information, visit fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak.