Fire’s aftermath takes toll on victims’ health

Three weeks ago, my husband and I lost our best friend. The cause of death on the certificate is a massive heart attack. I believe the real cause of death was the Hermit’s Peak/ Calf Canyon fire, a man-made tragedy that didn’t have to happen and the dealing with the aftermath.

Our friend lost his house and barn and all that was in these buildings. The flood then destroyed his pasture and the mountains on his ranch. He, his partner, some family and friends spent hours cleaning and removing debris from the creek and land. One three-day weekend, a group of family and friends helped them lay wattles to prevent further erosion of the mountain caused by the fire and floods. In fact, the mountain is still moving. Then, there were hours spent planting trees and seeding the land to keep it from sliding down.

To provide the information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, his partner spent hours assembling three three-ring binders with before and after pictures of the house, barn and land. A list of their mementos, pictures, jewelry, clothes, furniture, household items and barn items was itemized. The list included pictures, original purchase slips and replacement cost at current prices. Our friend built the house and barn; again, the cost of building materials and replacement items were listed. This information was submitted to FEMA last year.

Since the beginning of the fire in April 2022 and the burning of the house and barn on May 11, 2022, my friend and his partner have been on an emotional roller-coaster as all victims have been. They worked with FEMA and all the deferent departments, and were told they would receive compensation soon. However, one thing after another thing came up. First, FEMA had to draw up guidelines and rules. This was to take a few months. The timeline stretched out to about a year-and-a-half. Then, all claimants were told that once claims were submitted and approved, the funds would be disbursed within 180 days. That has not happened. The onerousness is on the victims not on the ones that caused this tragedy. I don’t think they have been held accountable.

Now, we are seeing the stress, sense of loss, the fighting of the government bureaucracy and wondering how one is to survive taking its toll. In the last couple of months there have been other people who have died, families that are grieving and diagnoses of cancer, heart conditions, high blood pressure and other diseases. How many more will die? How many more families will be torn apart? How many more will it take for the government to make these victims whole?

It seems like these victims are second-class citizens. The victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon are not alone. There are the victims of the 2022 Jemez fire, the Maui fire, the East Palestine train derailment, and now, the victims of the wildfire in Texas.

May God watch over all the victims.