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Update: August 23, 2023, Suppression tactics continue on the Black Feather Fire

Acres: 2,198 acres  

Start Date: August 5, 2023  

Cause: Lightning   

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory  

Containment: 28%  

Resources: 127 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 continue to work the southern lines and continue along the wilderness boundary. Progressing and securing the fires edge. Crews are utilizing UAS (unmanned aircraft system) with infrared capabilities to scout for more hot spots to continue suppression tactics. Suppression repairs are continuing, with heavy equipment rehabilitating roads and fireline rehabilitation.

Hand crews reached more into the wilderness to continue scouting and securing the fire edge. Crews outside of the wilderness were patrolling and monitoring the fires edge along with securing any hotspots or smoke showing within the fires perimeter.

Operations: Suppression efforts are continuing within the wilderness and along the southern edge of the fire. Crews utilized an infrared drone to help identify areas with greater fire activity and focus their efforts on those locations. With heavy dead and down logs and fire weaken trees 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: Overnight weather will improve as temperatures cool and relative humidity will rise. Gusty winds will persist out of the southeast. The remainder of this week will see improving moistures each day with the chances of showers and thunderstorms, especially towards 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. See https://bit.ly/BlackFeatherClosureUpdate 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/.

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

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-black-feather-fire

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

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