Fire, flood, water and mold damage help across Chimayo's plazas

About 24 miles north of Santa Fe and a little over 6,000 feet up, this community straddles Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties. Rather than one town center, it is made up of plazas and placitas such as El Potrero, Plaza del Cerro and Centinela, each with its own long history.

Fire & Water Energy offers referrals and nothing more; it is not a contractor. Ring (866) 937-3230 and we will try to locate an independent restoration contractor serving Chimayo. Availability is controlled by those independent firms, as described on our how it works page.

Fire, flood and deep cold in Rio Arriba County's record

FEMA has included Rio Arriba County in six major disaster declarations since 2000: a severe forest fire (DR-1329, 2000), severe storms and flooding (DR-1659, 2006), a severe winter storm and extreme cold temperatures (DR-1962, 2011), severe storms, flooding and mudslides (DR-4152, 2013), severe storms and flooding (DR-4197, 2014), and the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding declaration (DR-4795, 2024). These apply to the county overall, not specific plazas.

The county's emergency preparedness office has also posted information on recent flooding, asking affected residents to send photos of damage along with their physical address.

Water damage restoration for valley homes

The 2011 extreme cold declaration shows how hard winter can hit this area. Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces and outbuildings can freeze and split, and older homes with flat roofs can leak when snow melts or summer storms pound the parapets.

A contractor doing water damage restoration in Chimayo would normally locate the leak, extract water, check walls and floors with moisture meters and run drying equipment until the materials reach normal levels. Thick earthen walls dry slowly, so ask about structural drying plans and how progress will be measured. Related: burst pipe water damage.

Federal disaster declarations that included Rio Arriba County

FEMA records show Rio Arriba County was included in 6 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 2 fire, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Chimayo was affected. The most recent:

• 2024 – South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding (DR-4795)
• 2014 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4197)
• 2013 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4152)
• 2011 – Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures (DR-1962)
• 2006 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1659)
• 2000 – Severe Forest Fire (DR-1329)

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.

Smoke, soot and wildfire seasons

Two of the county's six declarations were driven by fire, most recently the 2024 South Fork and Salt fires. The county links residents to guidance on protecting homes from wildfire. Wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning add their own risks.

After a fire, contractors commonly tarp and board up openings, remove debris, clean soot from walls, vigas and textiles, and treat lingering odor. Our fire damage cleanup and soot removal pages outline the steps.

Mud and floodwater in the plazas and fields

Four county declarations involved flooding, and the 2013 one also cited mudslides. Across a valley floor given over to irrigated fields, heavy rain can push silty water into low-lying homes, sheds and wells.

Floodwater is treated as contaminated. Flood cleanup generally covers mud removal, tearing out soaked materials, disinfection and drying; damaged roofs and downed trees fall under storm damage cleanup.

Mold in thick walls and damp storage rooms

Moisture trapped in plaster, under floors or in storerooms can support mold well after the visible water is gone. Musty odors in a closed room are often the first clue.

EPA guidance says small patches under about 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by a careful homeowner. Larger growth or mold linked to floodwater or sewage is a job for mold remediation professionals using containment.

Protecting your household in Chimayo

• For fire, injuries, a gas smell or downed lines, get out and call 911.
• Sign up for Rio Arriba County's Nixle alerts through the county website.
• If flooding reaches your home, photograph it and follow the county's request to report damage with your physical address.
• Turn off water and power only when you can do it without stepping into water.
• Your insurer or agent can explain what your policy covers; flood is often separate.

Before hiring, ask about insurance, written estimates and IICRC training, and check whether New Mexico requires a license for the work. The referral disclosure page explains our arrangement with contractors.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Chimayo that callers often mention include:

• El Potrero
• Plaza del Cerro
• Centinela

Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Chimayo):

• Española · 8 mi
• White Rock · 19 mi
• Los Alamos · 22 mi
• Santa Fe · 22 mi
• Agua Fria · 25 mi
• Ranchos de Taos · 31 mi

Restoration guides

• Fire Damage Cleanup
• Soot Removal
• Flood Cleanup
• Structural Drying
• Burst Pipe Water Damage
• Mold Remediation

Local resources for Chimayo residents

• Rio Arriba County Emergency Preparedness
• Rio Arriba County Fire & Emergency Services
• National Weather Service

Sources

• Wikipedia: Chimayo, New Mexico
• Rio Arriba County Emergency Preparedness

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