Single Publication

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
May 23, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 311,166 
Containment: 40% 
Total personnel: 2,930 
Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 
Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Under investigation |
Location: Located near Gallinas Canyon
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

 

Highlights: Favorable weather aided firefighters in making good progress and there was minimal fire growth yesterday. Air resources provided support to firefighters on the ground while mild weather conditions persisted across the fire area. Direct line construction and structure protection remain the focus of firefighting activities. Local law enforcement agencies continue to evaluate evacuation status for repopulation as safety allows. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, and Colfax Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

Operations:

West Zone (SWAIMT1): Hot Shot crews and helicopters have been successful in preventing fire from becoming established and moving through heavy timber north of Martinez Pond. Five Hot Shot Crews will continue work in the rugged terrain south of NM HWY 518 to secure line and protect the communities along the highway corridor. These hand lines will connect into dozer line that extends west to prevent spread towards Peñasco and the HWY 73 Corridor. Firefighters continue to work the east side of the NM HWY 121 corridor as the fire backs toward the road. Alternate control lines are being constructed to maximize tactical flexibility and allow firefighters to pivot quickly to the course of action which promises the highest probability of success in rapidly changing weather conditions.

East Zone (CAIIMT2): Yesterday, firefighters worked to strengthen containment line on the northern tip of the fire, and continued mop-up and patrol on the fire’s eastern edge. Dozers cut along the ridgeline near the Taos/Colfax County line towards Angel Fire. Crews followed up and widened the contingency line by removing portions of vegetation surrounding it, creating what is known as a shaded fuel break. Today, fire crews from the East and West Zone will work together to build containment line along the northern edge of the fire. Contingency prep work continues in and around several communities north and east of the fire perimeter.

South Zone (CAIIMT5): The southwest perimeter of the fire continues to be the priority for the South Zone. Yesterday, favorable weather conditions allowed day shift crews to initiate a tactical firing operation along the 203 Road to remove unburned vegetation between the active fire front and the road. This action, which will be completed over the next couple of days, will help prevent the fire’s progress westward towards the Pecos Valley Corridor. Additional crews and engines have been moved to the Pecos Valley corridor to assist with completing containment lines and clearing vegetation around structures.

Evacuations: Go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow: San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/smcso.nm
 Mora County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice Taos County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163 Colfax County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308  

Weather: Conditions will be warmer and drier during the daytime, with winds out of the west, shifting to northwest in the afternoon. A cold front will come through in the late evening, bringing a wind shift to the east-northeast direction, as well as cooler temperatures overnight. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values will be in the upper teens to low 20s.

Restrictions: Stage 3 forest-wide closures are in effect for the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, public access is prohibited and the restrictions and closure orders can be found on the Carson NF website and Santa Fe NF website. BLM New Mexico Fire Restrictions https://tinyurl.com/BLMNewMexico.

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov 

Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |