Single Publication

Community Meeting Scheduled for The Black Feather Fire on Tuesday, August 15 

Acres: 2,198 acres 

Start Date: August 5, 2023 

Cause: Lightning  

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory 

Containment: 0% 

Resources: 517 personnel 

Location: Approximately 9 miles south of Gallina, NM, on the Santa Fe National Forest, Coyote Ranger District. Near the Peñas Negras Trail in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.   

Highlights: A community meeting regarding the Black Feather Fire is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Coronado High School Campus, located at 1903 NM-96, Gallina, NM 87017. It will be live-streamed on the Black Feather Fire Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095598220079 for those unable to attend in person (no account is needed to view this live-stream). 

Primary and alternate containment lines are in place around the Black Feather Fire. Minimal growth is allowing fire managers to focus on long-term strategies for the area and finalize plans to address possible future needs in the event the fire moves out of the wilderness. Current resources on the fire include 9 hotshot crews, 19 engines, 6 helicopters, 4 dozers, 6 water tenders, numerous fix-wing aircraft and the addition of an infrared drone which will provide firefighters with increased abilities to identify hot spots and more accurately map the impacted area.   

Operations: Firefighters are completing a strategic risk analysis for the long-term protection and response to the communities, property, infrastructure, and other values at risk in the area. Crews continue to use multiple strategies and tactics to address the unique needs and challenges of the Black Feather Fire. With heavy dead, down and standing timber in the area, firefighters are outside of the wilderness, in safer environment, on the eastern edge of the fire. Efforts are focused on locating and containing hot spots while strengthening primary and secondary containment lines through the removal of fuels through chipping, thinning, and hauling.  

Evacuations:  The communities of Mesa Pinebetal, Mesa Poleo and Wetherill remain in ‘Ready’ status. The Coyote Senior Center is open to evacuees, and livestock can be taken to the Rio Arriba Rural Event Center near Abiquiu. The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating evacuations. For more information, use the QR code below and visit the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079688263048 

Safety: Expect increased activity in the area and on local roads as firefighters and equipment move to new locations. Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews safe access to the fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place around the fire area. Please do not fly drones anywhere near the fire. If you fly, we can’t fly. 

Weather: Quick, light showers and storms are forecast to form over the area, with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm. There will be breaks in between showers with the sun temporarily breaking through, allowing temperatures to rise into the lower 70s near the fire.  

Restrictions/Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued an area, road, and trail closure in part of the Coyote Ranger District. See https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices/?aid=82412 for information and a corresponding map. Forest Road 103 is closed to non-residential traffic. Closures will be adjusted based on fire activity.   

Smoke: More smoke may be visible in the area over the next several days as active smoldering is taking place. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

Fire Information: 505-460-0499