Single Publication

Update: Saturday, August 19, 2023, Work Continues on The Black Feather Fire  

Acres: 2,198 acres 

Start Date: August 5, 2023 

Cause: Lightning  

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory 

Containment: 28% 

Resources: 155 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: Moderate fire behavior and intermittent rain showers have allowed the Incident Management Team to enhance their long-term response and protection plan for the area of the Black Feather Fire. Crews on the eastern edge of the fire, just outside of the wilderness, have been working on suppression repair, chipping and hauling out heavy fuels, and improving local roads. Hotshot and hand crews around the fire continue to patrol and scout the area for hot spots and additional opportunities for suppression.  

Operations: Today, fire managers are taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to scout and identify options for additional fire containment in the wilderness. Planning will focus on utilizing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to effectively meet suppression and resource objectives with the least environmental, cultural, and social impacts possible. Incident objectives remain focused on firefighter safety while protecting property, infrastructure, and other values at risk, including timber and watershed.  

Safety: Large pieces of equipment are in use, and fire crews are actively moving in around the fire area. Please continue to stay away from the areas impacted by the fire.  The Temporary Flight Restriction is still in place. Please do not fly drones anywhere near the fire. If you fly, we can’t fly. 

Weather: Weather will be drier and mostly sunny today, with temperatures in the upper 70s. North winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour with afternoon gusts are expected. Rain showers are expected to return early next week with higher humidity and slightly cooler temperatures.   

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 will impact smoke conditions in the coming days and weeks. 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/  

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 will coordinate evacuations if they go into effect. For more information, use the QR code below and visit the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079688263048 

Fire Information: 505-460-0499 – 2023.blackfeather@firenet.gov  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackfeatherfireinfo 

New Mexico Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/