The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to compensate victims of a major wildfire in New Mexico earlier this year. The fire sparked when the Forest Service lost control of a prescribed burn, burned 342,000 acres, destroyed over 1,000 structures, and prompted the evacuation of two low-income, predominantly Hispanic counties. In response to the devastating fire, Congress allocated $2.5 billion for a compensation fund to cover damages such as injuries, property damage, lost income, and business losses. The fund will also cover the costs of mental health counseling for those affected by the blaze.
This marks a significant concession by federal officials and is only the second time that Congress has decided to compensate victims of a wildfire caused by a federal agency. A report by the Forest Service in June identified several errors by the agency and the impact of climate change on prescribed burns.
FEMA, responsible for distributing the funds, has given victims two years to file claims and recently published a notice explaining the claims process. It is important to note that accepting payments from the compensation fund waives the right to seek compensation from the government through other channels, such as federal courts. The fund is separate from disaster assistance provided by FEMA in the aftermath of the wildfire and low-interest disaster loans offered by the Small Business Administration.
It has been determined that the Forest Service made several mistakes in the planning of this burn, including using inaccurate models and underestimating the dryness of the conditions and the amount of fuel available to fuel the flames. The planned burn was intended to reduce the risk of wildfires but caused the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history.
Suppose you or someone you love was affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Wildfire In New Mexico. In that case, you now have rights under the law, and our attorneys take hold of those rights and battle to the end to ensure you get the justice and maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us for a free consultation. Call (888) 998-7165 or tell us about your case using our online form. We will review your case for free.
