Single Publication

Black Feather Fire Community Meeting Today, Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Acres: 2,198 acres
Start Date: August 5, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory
Containment: 5%
Resources: 451 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 will be held for the Black Feather Fire tonight, Tuesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. at the Coronado High School Campus at 1903 NM-96, Gallina, NM 87017. A live-stream of the meeting will be available on the Black Feather Fire Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/blackfeatherfireinfo (no account is needed to view this live-stream).

Primary and alternate containment lines are in place around the Black Feather Fire, and fire managers are reporting 5% containment on the southeast side of the fire. Reported containment represents the location and percentage of line where fire managers believe it is unlikely the fire will spread. Because of the heavy dead standing and down timber in the wilderness, the Black Feather Fire is expected to continue to smolder and burn for an extended period of time. Current resources on the fire include 7 hotshot crews, 2 hand crews, 4 engines, 4 helicopters, 1 dozer, 4 water tenders, fix-wing aircraft, and an infrared drone providing firefighters with the ability to identify hot spots and more accurately map the impacted area.  

Operations: Weather continues to moderate fire behavior and allow the on-site Incident Management Team to enhance their long-term response and protection plan for the area of the Black Feather Fire. Today, firefighters will continue reducing fuels and enhancing primary and secondary containment lines while utilizing the infrared drone and personnel on the ground to locate and mop up hot spots. Incident objectives for the Black Forest Fire include firefighter and public safety, protecting property, infrastructure, and other values at risk.

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: Lingering showers and thunderstorms remain today, with the strongest storms being capable of producing heavy rain. A flood watch that includes the fire area has been issued for this afternoon and evening. Warmer temperatures are expected today, with a modest decrease in humidity.  

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: Variations in temperatures and humidity in the coming days and weeks will impact smoke conditions. Smoke may be more and less visible in the area as active smoldering takes 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 – 2023.blackfeather@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackfeatherfireinfo
New Mexico Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/