Single Publication

Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team to Resume Management of The Black Feather Fire 

Acres: 2,198 acres 

Start Date: August 5, 2023 

Cause: Lightning  

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory 

Containment: 22% 

Resources: 442 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 strong strategic plan and favorable weather, combined with firefighting efforts, have allowed fire managers to begin a transition from The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) back to The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team at 7:00 a.m. Thursday, August 17. Details on the activities and planning process were discussed in detail at the community meeting on August 15. A recording is available on the Black Feather Fire Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blackfeatherfireinfo (video begins at approximately the 5:30 minute mark, and no account is needed to view this recording).  

Strengthening of primary and alternate containment lines led to an increase in containment. With the majority of the fire area located within the San Pedro Parks wilderness, fire behavior, including smoldering, occasional flare-ups, and periods of visible smoke, is expected. The approved plan being transferred to the new management team will continue to address those occurrences. Current resources on the fire include 7 hotshot crews, 2 hand crews, 4 engines, 4 helicopters, 1 dozer, 4 water tenders, 4 chippers, and an infrared drone providing firefighters with the ability to identify hot spots and more accurately map the impacted area.   

Operations: The objectives of the long-term response and protection plan for the area of the Black Feather Fire remain. Today, firefighters will focus on suppression-repair efforts, including chipping along roadways and removing branches and brush, with the goal of leaving as soft of a footprint as possible. Infrared drone flights continue to be an asset in identifying hot spots, allowing firefighters to respond quickly and reduce the potential for additional growth.  

Evacuations:  The communities of Mesa Pinabetal, 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 personnel 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: A slow warming and drying trend continues today with slightly lower levels of moisture in place. Afternoon and evening rain showers, with heavy accumulation in the area, are possible.  

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/