Wildfire, Health, Water, Community
Las Vegas, NM Photo: The Guardian
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Friends of Confluence West –
As I write this piece, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak wildfire is over 300,000 acres – the largest in New Mexico’s history. We’ve all seen the pictures – devastation.
For those not familiar with this part of the West – it’s beautiful – and poor. The median household income for the two counties hardest hit by this wildfire (San Miguel and Mora) is approximately $25,000 (one-half the average income in New Mexico.) Generations of families have lived in this area, with Hispanics comprising about 79% of the overall population.
Along with displacement, and people losing homes, ranches, livestock, equipment, and inhaling smoke 24/7, most of the area’s water systems (and wells) are offline.
The FEMA Commissioner stated last week that while she knows that most people don’t have insurance, the most FEMA can pay for repairs is $39,400.
And, of course, these communities won’t be dealing with just the immediate impacts. For example, our colleagues at HECHO looked at the aftermath of the Museum Fire (2019) with the floods that came the following year. Those debris floods tore through the primarily Hispanic community in Flagstaff.
We know that vulnerable communities will continue to take the brunt of climate-driven disasters. What is your western state or community doing to take on these challenges? Let us know, and we’ll share the stories.
Immediate help? World Kitchen is in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
For the West,
Kimery
Thanks to Sterling Grogan, long-time Confluence West colleague and New Mexico resident, for his help with this story.
P.S. Background on climate justice and wildfires: Unequal vulnerability of communities of color to wildfire. Ten-year study on the costs of Arizona’s Schultz fire ($95.8M+, the 2010 wildfire burned 15,075 acres.)