FOR THOSE HIT HARD BY THE FIRE AND FLOODS, THE LARGEST AND MOST DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRE IN THE HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO, DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF HOMES STARTED BY A PRESCRIBED BURN. THAT’S NOT ENOUGH MONEY. THE FOREST SERVICE OR FEMA CAN GIVE TO ME TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THAT BIG LOSS, BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT OF MEMORIES THAT GOT LOST IN FEMA, PROVIDING MORE THAN $3.51 BILLION TO SURVIVORS AFFECTED BY THE HERMITS PEAK CALF CANYON FIRE. FOUR YEARS LATER, WHEN I READ THAT FEMA AGREES TO PAY $3.5 BILLION, I’M OFFENDED. LET THERE BE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. THEY WERE CHARGED WITH PAYING AND DISTRIBUTING $5.3 BILLION TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THE VICTIMS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S NEGLIGENCE. MEMORIES LOST. HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES LEFT PICKING UP THE PIECES. PEOPLE LOST THEIR HERITAGE, FAMILY HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, ATTORNEY BRIAN CULLEN, REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS HIT HARD BY THE FIRE AND FLOODS. THE FEDERAL JUDGE HAS AGREED WITH OUR POSITION THAT THESE VICTIMS DESERVE TO BE FULLY COMPENSATED. SADLY, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE JUDGE’S ORDERS, FEMA HAS CONTINUED TO DELAY AND APPEAL THOSE DECISIONS TO THE 10TH CIRCUIT BECAUSE OF FEMA’S OBSTINANCE. THEIR FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE NEW MEXICO LAW. I’VE HAD TO LITIGATE THIS CASE FOR YEARS. IT’S INEXCUSABLE THAT ANYBODY WOULD ALLOW A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE JOB IT IS TO DO THIS WORK, FOR THEM TO TAKE A VICTORY LAP WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HURTING. COLOGNE TELLING US HE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT TILL THE
FEMA to pay more than $3.5B to survivors of the Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire in New Mexico
“When I read that FEMA agrees to pay $3.5 billion. I’m offended,” Attorney Brian Colón said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided more than $3.51 billion to individuals and families who were affected by the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fire and flooding. According to FEMA, they have responded to more than 24, 502 claims. On Thursday, July 9, 2026, KOAT spoke with Attorney Brian S. Colón. He represents hundreds of survivors affected by the fires and floods.MORE: FEMA faces nearly 30 lawsuits over Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire compensation delays”Let there be no mistake about it. They were charged with paying and distributing $5.3 billion to the people who were the victims of the federal government’s negligence. People lost their heritage, family homes that have been handed down from generation to generation,” Colón told KOAT.”When I read that FEMA agrees to pay $3.5 billion. I’m offended. For FEMA to be taking a victory lap because they hit this arbitrary $3.5 billion benchmark is, quite frankly, an insult to all those victims who have yet to be compensated,” Colón said.BackgroundThe Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fire was the largest and most destructive wildfire in the history of New Mexico. The Hermit’s Peak Fire began on April 6, 2022, when the U.S. Forest Service reportedly lost control of the Las Dispensas prescribed burn in the Santa Fe National Forest. The Calf Canyon Fire was sparked by a dormant pile burn that reignited underground. Both fires merged on April 22, 2022. More than 900 structures were destroyed, including more than 400 homes. 341,735 acres burned through San Miguel, Taos, Mora and Colfax counties. No deaths have been reported. Video below: Pendaries Lodge and Community still waiting for FEMA money to rebuild”It’s inexcusable that anybody would allow a team of individuals whose job it is to do this work for them to take a victory lap when so many people are still hurting. And that’s the problem for me, and that’s the problem for my clients. Because of FEMA’s obstinance, their failure to recognize New Mexico law— I’ve had to litigate this case for years,” Colón said.”The federal judge has agreed with our position that these victims deserve to be fully compensated. Sadly, instead of following the judge’s orders, FEMA has continued to delay and appeal those decisions to the 10th Circuit. I will advocate for justice for all the victims of the Hermit’s Canyon fire until the last victim has been compensated,” Colón said.On Thursday, KOAT reached out to FEMA regarding ongoing litigation and additional information of the $3.5 billion for survivors of the fires. We did not hear back from FEMA at the time of airing.For more information, visit FEMAStay updated from the latest on the KOAT app. Download here
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided more than $3.51 billion to individuals and families who were affected by the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fire and flooding. According to FEMA, they have responded to more than 24, 502 claims. On Thursday, July 9, 2026, KOAT spoke with Attorney Brian S. Colón. He represents hundreds of survivors affected by the fires and floods.
MORE: FEMA faces nearly 30 lawsuits over Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire compensation delays
“Let there be no mistake about it. They were charged with paying and distributing $5.3 billion to the people who were the victims of the federal government’s negligence. People lost their heritage, family homes that have been handed down from generation to generation,” Colón told KOAT.
“When I read that FEMA agrees to pay $3.5 billion. I’m offended. For FEMA to be taking a victory lap because they hit this arbitrary $3.5 billion benchmark is, quite frankly, an insult to all those victims who have yet to be compensated,” Colón said.
Background
The Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fire was the largest and most destructive wildfire in the history of New Mexico. The Hermit’s Peak Fire began on April 6, 2022, when the U.S. Forest Service reportedly lost control of the Las Dispensas prescribed burn in the Santa Fe National Forest.
The Calf Canyon Fire was sparked by a dormant pile burn that reignited underground. Both fires merged on April 22, 2022. More than 900 structures were destroyed, including more than 400 homes. 341,735 acres burned through San Miguel, Taos, Mora and Colfax counties. No deaths have been reported.
Video below: Pendaries Lodge and Community still waiting for FEMA money to rebuild
“It’s inexcusable that anybody would allow a team of individuals whose job it is to do this work for them to take a victory lap when so many people are still hurting. And that’s the problem for me, and that’s the problem for my clients. Because of FEMA’s obstinance, their failure to recognize New Mexico law— I’ve had to litigate this case for years,” Colón said.
“The federal judge has agreed with our position that these victims deserve to be fully compensated. Sadly, instead of following the judge’s orders, FEMA has continued to delay and appeal those decisions to the 10th Circuit. I will advocate for justice for all the victims of the Hermit’s Canyon fire until the last victim has been compensated,” Colón said.
On Thursday, KOAT reached out to FEMA regarding ongoing litigation and additional information of the $3.5 billion for survivors of the fires. We did not hear back from FEMA at the time of airing.
For more information, visit FEMA
Stay updated from the latest on the KOAT app. Download
