Burned Twice: Why Wildfire Victims Are Still Waiting

Nearly four years after New Mexico's most destructive, government-sparked wildfire, many families are still waiting to be made whole from the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire. Chris and Gabby sit down with two lead attorneys representing victims to break down the ongoing delays in the FEMA claims process, the growing controversy surrounding the New Mexico Claims Office Director, and the calls from state leaders for him to step down.

Billions were set aside in 2022 to compensate victims. So why is the process still dragging on? Does who you know matter when it comes to getting paid? And who, if anyone, is being held accountable? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.