$3.95 Billion. How The Feds Are Repaying New Mexicans For Wildfire Losses

This time last year, New Mexico's Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire was dominating local headlines. The wildfire eventually became the state's largest in recorded history, sparked by two different government operations that eventually merged.

One year after the fire charred more than 342-thousand acres, the federal government is attempting to make good on its promise to help New Mexicans recover from massive losses. $3.95 billion has been earmarked to pay for a wide range of costs, all of which being handled by a specific new FEMA office: The Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Claims Office.

How is that money being spent? How can someone make a claim for FEMA assistance? 

This week, Chris and Gabby and joined by the Director of the HPCC Claims Office, Angela Gladwell. She breaks down how the unique effort is working. The office is already processing hundreds of claims and expects to deal with thousands more. How long will people have to wait to receive reimbursement for losses? Those questions and more are answered in this week's episode.

We want to hear from our listeners! Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.