FEMA’s Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office administers $5.45 billion in federal compensation for communities affected by the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire—the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history. The 534-square-mile fire destroyed hundreds of homes and devastated communities across northern New Mexico. Under the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, this unprecedented disaster response program covers personal injuries, property losses, business losses, and financial damages through a structured fire claims administration process.
As of June 2025, the Claims Office has disbursed over $2 billion in compensation while processing more than 18,100 claims, with expectations to reach $2.5 billion by September 2025. Operating in collaboration with state, local, and Tribal partners, the program supports comprehensive recovery efforts across northern New Mexico.
Fluor Corporation serves as the prime contractor supporting the Claims Office operations, with ATCS providing specialized fire claims administration support to ensure the efficiency and integrity of this large-scale recovery operation through dedicated personnel deployed to critical Claims Office functions.
Managing Complex Federal Disaster Recovery Operations
Processing thousands of individual wildfire compensation claims requires specialized administrative infrastructure and rigorous quality control measures. Each claim involves a detailed documentation review across multiple loss categories, ranging from residential property damage to business interruption and personal injuries, which demands expertise in financial analysis and federal compliance standards.
The program’s scale, which involves managing billions in federal disaster funds while maintaining transparency and preventing fraud, requires coordinated technical expertise across multiple functional areas. Balancing rapid community response with thorough verification processes protects both program integrity and ensures appropriate compensation reaches affected individuals and businesses.
Delivering Comprehensive Claims Support Services
ATCS provides specialized personnel across multiple functional areas essential to the Claims Office operations:
- Claims Review and Documentation Analysis: ATCS claims reviewers conduct detailed evaluations of submitted claims and supporting documentation to verify eligibility and ensure accurate compensation calculations aligned with HPCC policy guidelines. This meticulous review process protects program integrity while ensuring that affected individuals and communities receive appropriate compensation.
- Staff Training and Development: ATCS coaching specialists develop and deliver comprehensive training programs that equip Claims Office personnel with the specialized skills and knowledge required for effective claim processing. This capacity-building approach ensures consistent service delivery and maintains institutional knowledge across the program.
- Quality Assurance and Compliance: ATCS quality assurance specialists implement rigorous QA/QC measures that maintain high standards of service delivery and regulatory compliance throughout the claims process. These systematic quality controls protect both claimants and the federal program from errors and inconsistencies.
- Financial Analysis and Loss Verification: ATCS financial analysts conduct detailed analyses of submitted documentation to identify, quantify, and substantiate reported losses. This specialized expertise ensures transparency and accountability while supporting efforts to prevent fraud and protect program resources.
Enabling Recovery for Fire-Affected Communities
The Claims Office has provided critical financial relief to individuals, families, and businesses devastated by the wildfire and subsequent flooding, enabling thousands of New Mexico residents to rebuild homes and restore businesses. Rigorous claims processing and quality assurance protocols have maintained program integrity while ensuring timely compensation delivery, creating a transparent recovery process that builds community trust and protects both claimants and federal resources.
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