Following the tragic Cerro Grande Fire and subsequent enactment of the Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act (CGFAA), FEMA has worked with fire victims in their recovery and rebuilding process. More than 1,600 individuals and businesses filed claims under the Act, and all but a few of them have finished the claim process. The rebuilding of lost residences in Los Alamos and the regeneration of the forest is inspiring to see.

Thanks to the progress that has been made, all Office of Cerro Grande Fire Clams (OCGFC) centers in New Mexico have been closed. A transition team headed by Director Stephen L. Oliver is working from FEMA's National Processing Service Center in Denton, Texas to finalize the open claims. This office also will process the remaining mitigation claims and will coordinate mitigation inspections in early fall.

"The Denton team is deeply committed to carrying out the words and spirit of the Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act," said Oliver. "We have fewer than three dozen claims that remain open. The staff also ensures that the Claimant's right to appeal final decisions is in place for the entire time designated by the Act."

The toll-free number, 1-888-748-1853 will be available through most of 2003.