Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Claims Office meets with fire victims
One year after the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon fire people still need aid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still trying to streamline the claims process for victims.
“If you live in Mora County or San Miguel County you automatically qualify to have your flood insurance premium paid. So we are really encouraging people to get flood insurance as soon as possible,” said Jennifer Carbajal, the deputy director for the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Claims Office.
Months in the making — the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Claims Office is open.
Several of the employees, like Miguel Medina, have worked with those who lost everything, and now he is trying to help.
“A lot of those people lost property. that's why I'm here to get back to my community that raised me,” said Medina, a FEMA claims navigator.
The claims office says they have received more than 1,000 claims and expect to have even more.
Some people didn't even know they would be eligible for a loss.
“I didn't think we qualified for anything even though I evacuated to her house, and to me, we're just friends helping each other out, and when you see it from a different light, you say yeah, it's true we did have a loss in a sense,” said Carlos Lopez, a Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon fire evacuee.
While many are still frustrated with the process, Carbajal says their goal is to treat everyone fairly.
“If anybody comes forward and files a key claim and has any concerns about things being equitable or treated fairly, they can reach out to our advocate, and we will make sure they have all the resources they need,” Carbajal said.
All three of Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon claims offices are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.