Individuals and businesses affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, subsequent flooding, mudslides and other cascading effects can be compensated for removing debris from their properties in Mora and San Miguel counties. The debris may include fallen trees and limbs, as well as ash, sand, silt, rocks. and boulders.
Background
The costs to clear debris may be covered under the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act. In the past, compensation for debris removal under the Stafford Act was limited to public entities except when debris on private properties created an impediment or hazard to a public asset, such as a road or waterway. The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act allows private landowners to seek compensation for labor, disposal fees and other costs incurred from clearing out debris caused by the fire and subsequent flooding.
To be compensated for debris removal, property owners must file a Notice of Loss (NOL) by March 14, 2025, with the FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office.
Claimants may hire a contractor or remove the debris themselves. Documentation is required that illustrates ownership of or responsibility for the property.
NOTE: Unless included with other compensation, debris removal would generally be compensated based on actual costs incurred.
The Claims Office monitors for duplication of funding with Public Assistance Private Property Debris Removal and previously compensated claims for Reforestation and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans; specifically, plans that include debris removal under “woody residue treatment” or “obstruction removal and debris removal” included in total loss compensation. The Claims Office might elect to conduct a site inspection to verify the scope of the work.
Recommended documentation includes:
| Type | Documents and Information |
|---|---|
| For all claims |
|
| Owner doing work |
|
| Contracted work |
|
Additional Information
Anyone impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to start a claim with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office as soon as possible. The deadline to submit an NOL and begin your claim is March 14, 2025.
This Debris Removal Fact Sheet is specific to individual and business debris removal claims. A separate debris Removal Fact Sheet will be released for government and acequia debris removal claims.
The State of New Mexico offers a disaster case management program that provides a point of contact to assist with recovery. State disaster case managers can assist people in collecting the required documents for a claim and can connect them with licensed New Mexico contractors. For New Mexico disaster case management support, call 505-670-4662.
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.