2022
2022
Page last updated: 08/08/2022
Beginning on April 5th, 2022, straight-line winds amplified wildfires in the state of New Mexico to catastrophic proportions, causing at least six fire management incidents. On May 4th, 2022, President Biden declared a major disaster.
On July 27, 2022, the disaster was amended to include flooding, mudflows, and debris flows resulting from the wildfires.
People in the following counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:
Click here for the full whitehouse.gov press release.
A free legal help hotline is available beginning June 6, 2022 for New Mexico Wildfires survivors. The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call (888) 985-5141.
For more information, please see the ABA-YLD Disaster Legal Services Press Release (English | Spanish)
Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:
Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.
Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov
In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).
Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Declaration page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.
Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
Due to the COVID-19 nationwide emergency declared by Former President Trump and the need to protect the safety and health of all Americans; FEMA will conduct remote home inspections for disaster survivors until further notice.
This fact sheet provides information about that process. It includes links to PDF and plain text versions.
As of June 1, 2022, FEMA is beginning to transition back to in- home inspections. Remote inspections may still occur if conditions make them necessary again.
Created by FEMA, this handout provides a basic overview what to expect after you have applied for assistance.
Este folleto, creado por FEMA, brinda una descripción general básica de lo que puede esperar después de haber solicitado asistencia.
Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.
Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.
Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. DRCs are set up in convenient areas after a disaster to make them easier to find.
A DRC may be able to help you:
To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. Search for open American Red Cross shelters near you with the “Find an Open Shelter” Tool.
A free legal help hotline is available beginning June 6, 2022 for New Mexico Wildfires survivors. The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call (888) 985-5141.
For more information, please see the ABA-YLD Disaster Legal Services Press Release (English | Spanish)
The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create Disaster Legal Services (DLS) — a program designed to help survivors navigate the aftermath of presidentially- declared disasters. The DLS program provides immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors—at no charge.
Issues where DLS can help include:
Learn more through this short video.
(888) 743-5749
To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.
(800) 876-6227
PO Box 92860
Albuquerque, NM 87199-2860
Professional association of lawyers.
1-833-545-4357
P.O. Box 25486
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5486
Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.
Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state’s website. Users will then be emailed when their question receives a response. There is no fee for the use of the system or for the advice and information provided by the attorney.
ABA Free Legal Answers is a website operated by the American Bar Association (ABA) and by an entity or entities in the state where the client lives.