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HM 62

IMPACT OF HERMIT'S PEAK/ CALF CANYON FIRE

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anita Gonzales

Acknowledges the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon fire as New Mexico’s most destructive and asserts claimants deserve full federal compensation and resources for recovery and prevention

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Bill Summary · HM 62

HM 62 — Memorial: Impact of Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon Fire

Overview

HM 62 is a memorial bill adopted and signed into law that acknowledges the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon fire’s impact on residents and communities in northeastern New Mexico. The measure recognizes the fire as the most destructive in New Mexico history and expresses clear expectations regarding federal compensation and future protective efforts.

Purpose and intent

  • Recognize the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon fire as the most destructive wildfire in New Mexico history.
  • Affirm that claimants affected by the fire are entitled to full compensation from the federal government for their losses.
  • Call for resources and legislation to address cascading recovery effects (e.g., flooding, emotional trauma, unemployment) and to help prevent similar disasters in the future.
  • Transmit copies of the memorial to the governor, the New Mexico congressional delegation, and the director of FEMA’s Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon fire claims office.

Key provisions and statements

  • Description of the events: the Hermit’s Peak fire began April 6, 2022, following a prescribed burn that got out of control; the Calf Canyon fire rekindled on April 9, 2022; the two fires merged on April 22, 2022.
  • Scale of impact: 341,471 acres burned.
  • Timeframe context: April 6, 2025 marks three years since the fires’ start; as of early 2025, FEMA had paid about $1.8 billion of the $5.45 billion allocated for federal claims.
  • Recognition and entitlement: asserts that claimants are entitled to full federal compensation and that resources should be directed to address cascading effects and fire prevention.
  • Endorsements and support: references community recovery efforts and legislative attention from New Mexico’s delegation.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon fire claimants and residents within the burn scar (homeowners, ranchers, business owners, and workers).
  • Broadly affected communities facing cascading issues such as flooding, emotional distress, displacement, and economic disruption.
  • Federal and state actors: federal FEMA claims office and New Mexico’s congressional delegation and governor.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 17, 2025.
  • Committee: Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs; DO PASS reported March 20, 2025.
  • Floor action: Passed the House March 21, 2025.
  • Status: Signed into law on April 22, 2025.

Impact and implications

  • The memorial codifies moral and policy support for full federal compensation and for addressing ongoing recovery and prevention needs.
  • It signals legislative backing for continued federal action and resources, without imposing state spending, while urging comprehensive reform and protective measures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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