New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas is still waiting for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance after the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, caused extensive damage to its campus. The fire began as a prescribed burn by the U.S. Forest Service in the spring of 2022 and merged with another burn that was not properly extinguished, ultimately burning more than 500 square miles and destroying more than 900 structures. Subsequent monsoon rains triggered massive flooding across the burn scar, compounding the devastation.NMHU, which served as a regional emergency response hub during the wildfire, has not received any financial assistance from FEMA. As a result, the university hired the firm Eco-Northwest to conduct an independent economic analysis, revealing losses totaling $277 million. The damages include flooding, erosion, and smoke impacts to buildings, roads, and facilities, costing up to $195 million. Heavy emergency vehicles caused up to $44 million in road damage, while staff overtime, emergency supplies and higher insurance premiums added another $38 million in costs.”If you have a car accident, your car is damaged, and you’re driving around town with a barely drivable car, you want the insurance company to make you a whole. In this case, the insurance company is FEMA,” Highlands Vice President for Advancement Paul Grindstaff told KOAT.Despite filing claims through multiple federal recovery and reimbursement programs, the university has not received any funds.”Unfortunately, FEMA has said, ‘Well, here’s some other hoops you got to jump through. And here’s another thing that you have to do,” Grindstaff added.The delays have also affected students, many of whom are first-generation college attendees. Some students have spent their entire college experience on a campus operating under recovery conditions.”Imagine a student who was a freshman, a first year at Highlands, the fall of the year that fire. They’re going to graduate this May, a lot of them,” Grindstaff said.KOAT, along with New Mexico lawmakers, has been pressing FEMA for years about the delays, especially after former President Joe Biden signed legislation allocating billions for recovery efforts. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said in August 2025 that FEMA didn’t hire enough people to complete its claims.Beyond physical damage, the university said it’s faced hiring and retention challenges due to regional housing pressures.
New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas is still waiting for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance after the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, caused extensive damage to its campus.
The fire began as a prescribed burn by the U.S. Forest Service in the spring of 2022 and merged with another burn that was not properly extinguished, ultimately burning more than 500 square miles and destroying more than 900 structures. Subsequent monsoon rains triggered massive flooding across the burn scar, compounding the devastation.
NMHU, which served as a regional emergency response hub during the wildfire, has not received any financial assistance from FEMA.
As a result, the university hired the firm Eco-Northwest to conduct an independent economic analysis, revealing losses totaling $277 million.
The damages include flooding, erosion, and smoke impacts to buildings, roads, and facilities, costing up to $195 million. Heavy emergency vehicles caused up to $44 million in road damage, while staff overtime, emergency supplies and higher insurance premiums added another $38 million in costs.
“If you have a car accident, your car is damaged, and you’re driving around town with a barely drivable car, you want the insurance company to make you a whole. In this case, the insurance company is FEMA,” Highlands Vice President for Advancement Paul Grindstaff told KOAT.
Despite filing claims through multiple federal recovery and reimbursement programs, the university has not received any funds.
“Unfortunately, FEMA has said, ‘Well, here’s some other hoops you got to jump through. And here’s another thing that you have to do,” Grindstaff added.
The delays have also affected students, many of whom are first-generation college attendees. Some students have spent their entire college experience on a campus operating under recovery conditions.
“Imagine a student who was a freshman, a first year at Highlands, the fall of the year that fire. They’re going to graduate this May, a lot of them,” Grindstaff said.
KOAT, along with New Mexico lawmakers, has been pressing FEMA for years about the delays, especially after former President Joe Biden signed legislation allocating billions for recovery efforts. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said in August 2025 that FEMA didn’t hire enough people to complete its claims.
Beyond physical damage, the university said it’s faced hiring and retention challenges due to regional housing pressures.
