It may look like things are back to normal in Mora, but the reality is life is a long way from being normal. Businesses might be open, residents are returning to their homes and the evacuations have been lifted. Yet, the devastation left by the largest fire in the history of New Mexico won’t be gone anytime soon.

“People are distraught here,” Frank Maestas, a Mora County commissioner, told KOB 4 recently. “They’re beside themselves. Their livelihood went away, some of their fields are gone where they grazed their livestock. It’s devastating.”

The fire that began in April destroyed approximately 150 structures in Mora County, Maestas said. Guadalupita, Trumball Canyon, Holman, Cleveland and Drew all have charred forests and blackened mountainsides. A FEMA disaster relief center has been set up at the VFW off Highway 518 in Mora. Those impacted by the fires can go there to apply for federal disaster assistance.

The horror of the fire remains fresh in people’s minds, causing anxiety that won’t be lifted from this community anytime soon. 

“I’ve talked to many people in our county I’ve seen a lot of tears,’ Maestas said. “I’ve been through prayers with people. Folks, you’re not in this alone. You don’t have to keep this to yourself or held in. Please reach out to these organizations they can actually help you.”

The concern now is that the barren mountainsides can lead to flooding when the rainy season arrives. Preparations are being made to reduce the chance of severe flooding.

“The floods will come and please be prepared,’ Maestas said. “It won’t give us the time like the fire did. The fire will give us a few days warning. Floods come in a hurry. In a couple of hours the floods will be upon you. So please be aware. Be informed the county will be putting out a lot of information on that in the coming days.”