Single Publication

Update: August 22, 2023, Continuing to Suppress and Repair on the Black Feather Fire 

Acres: 2,198 acres  

Start Date: August 5, 2023  

Cause: Lightning   

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory  

Containment: 28%  

Resources: 126 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: Resources have moved into a more direct attack due to decrease in current fire behavior and in order to mitigate threats to values at risk. In switching to more direct attack, prior hazards have been mitigated. Crews are utilizing UAS (unmanned aircraft system) with infrared capabilities in order to mitigate exposure. Suppression repair work will continue, graders will be performing the necessary work according to the suppression repair plan across the fire area. Hotshot crews were able to reach portions of the fire within the wilderness, locating areas of more active fire and scouting locations that can safely be accessed for future suppression activities. Crews outside of the wilderness finalized chipping operations and continued to work on containment lines along the eastern edge of the fire.  

Operations: Today, suppression efforts will continue within the wilderness and along the eastern edge of the fire. Crews will utilize an infrared drone to help identify areas with greater fire activity and focus their efforts on those locations. With heavy dead and down with dead standing timber in the wilderness, fire managers are carefully monitoring suppression activities in relation to weather and fire behavior to ensure incident objectives are met while remaining focused on firefighter safety. 

Safety: Equipment and fire crews are actively moving in and around the fire area, including roads reopening today. Please use caution when traveling around the Black Feather 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 improve through the evening as winds taper off and temperatures cool. A few more hours of near critical conditions are possible Monday across the Four Corners. Southeast winds will still be breezy but lighter than today. The remainder of this week will see improving moisture each day with more showers and storms especially toward the end of the week.  

Restrictions/Closures: Effective Monday, August 21, the Santa Fe National Forest has issued an updated area, road, and trail closure in part of the Coyote Ranger District. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices/?aid=82261 for information and a corresponding map. Forest Road 103 is now open. Closures will be adjusted based on fire activity.  

Smoke: Variations in temperatures, humidity & fire activity 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/.  

Evacations: 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, visit their Facebook page at 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/