IMPACT OF HERMIT'S PEAK/ CALF CANYON FIRE

House Memorial 62 recognizes the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire - New Mexico's most destructive fire in history - as a historic event that burned 341,471 acres in 2022, merged from two separate fires caused by federal forest service errors. The memorial highlights that as of early 2025, only $1.8 billion of the $5.45 billion allocated for fire-related claims had been paid, leaving many residents and businesses still awaiting full compensation for lost homes, ranches, and livelihoods. It also notes ongoing cascading effects like severe flooding, emotional trauma, and loss of cultural identity in affected communities. The memorial urges the federal government to provide full compensation and address future fire prevention, while directing copies to state leaders and FEMA.