N.M. Delegation Praises President Biden’s Disaster Supplemental Request for $1.5 Billion to Boost Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Recovery
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced President Biden’s disaster supplemental request includes $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. If President Biden’s disaster supplemental request is approved by Congress, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation will have secured $5.45 billion to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in April 2022. Senator Luján personally advocated for additional funding in requests to Senate Democratic Leadership and the Biden administration.
“Over two years since the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire wiped away generations of history and uprooted families from their communities, it’s unacceptable that many New Mexicans continue to wait for the compensation they are owed from the federal government,” said Heinrich. “This additional funding request is a welcome step to getting New Mexicans the resources needed to recover and rebuild, but this is far from a done deal. Along with passing this funding into law, we must hold FEMA and the HPCC Claims Office accountable for making their process faster and more responsive, ensuring all New Mexico families whose lives have been upended by this disaster make a full recovery.”
“As New Mexico families and businesses continue to recover from the largest wildfire in state history, this disaster supplemental request will help boost rebuilding efforts in northern New Mexico,” said Luján. “I’m proud to have called on Congressional leaders, federal agencies, and the White House to secure Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire support in this disaster supplemental request. President Biden has made it clear that he remains committed to providing the full relief and support that New Mexicans need and now Congress must answer his call. I look forward to working with my colleagues to approve this disaster supplement request and securing the assistance New Mexicans deserve.”
“Over two years since the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire wiped away generations of history and uprooted families from their communities, it’s unacceptable that many New Mexicans continue to wait for the compensation they are owed from the federal government,” said Heinrich. “This additional funding request is a welcome step to getting New Mexicans the resources needed to recover and rebuild, but this is far from a done deal. Along with passing this funding into law, we must hold FEMA and the HPCC Claims Office accountable for making their process faster and more responsive, ensuring all New Mexico families whose lives have been upended by this disaster make a full recovery.”
“Since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire began in 2022, our delegation has tirelessly fought for justice for families across the burn scar and secured an initial $3.95 billion to help pay for the losses so many endured. We have come very far, but we have a lot of work left to do,” said Leger Fernández. “Today, I am grateful that President Biden has for the third time agreed to appropriate funds for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon recovery in New Mexico and included up to $1.5 billion in today’s Supplemental Disaster Request to Congress. This supplemental will be essential to fully meet the claims that are eligible for compensation under our legislation. Republicans in Congress must now include this funding in the final version of the Disaster Supplemental so families can be quickly and fairly compensated for their damages. I will also continue to urge the Claims Office to cut the red tape and get money out faster.”
Following the devastating Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, in September 2022, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Delegation authored and championed the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act into law, which included billions in federal resources to support recovery efforts to begin the recovery process.
In October 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. In September 2024, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández secured an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office.
New Mexicans can apply for assistance through the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act here.
###
