The Struggle Continues For New Mexico Wildfire Victims
MORA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Two years later, victims are still struggling to recover from the state’s largest, most destructive wildfire in New Mexico’s history. The government-sparked Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Wildfire burned through more than 341,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of homes, and displaced families across northern New Mexico.
This week on the New Mexico News Podcast, Pam Abreu shares her story about challenges she’s faced since losing the family home her father built. “It’s not a comforting process for people who desperately need comforting,” Abreu said.
Antonia Roybal-Mack, an attorney representing wildfire victims, also explains why dozens of New Mexicans are suing FEMA. “This is not an entitlement program where these people are getting some type of government benefit,” said Roybal-Mack. “They burned these people’s homes down and they need to pay them for that.”
Are victims being repaid quickly enough? Where are families living now? How are generational homes being valued?
Those questions and more are discussed in this week’s episode. Roybal-Mack argues one of the biggest challenges is trying to place a dollar value on homes that would’ve never been for sale in the first place.
“My family ranch was never for sale, it would have never been sold,” said Roybal-Mack. “I have nine siblings, it could have gone on forever. How do you value a generational loss? That’s a huge problem.”
Listen to the full discussion above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Podcast every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Podbean among others.
Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term “KRQE” or “New Mexico News Podcast” (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each respective service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post.
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion as to who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email the hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.
