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Thunderstorms and flash flood warnings delay suppression repair efforts as crews remain vigilant and ready to work when conditions permit 
 July 27, 2022 – Calf Canyon Fire Update 

Acres: 341,735| Containment: 93% | Total personnel: 581|  Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 | Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Holdover fire from prescribed pile burn | Location: 12 miles NW of Las Vegas, NM | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass  

 

Highlights: Today, thunderstorms and flash floods continued to pose challenges to suppression repair efforts. Additional resources, including crews and equipment, have been requested to assist as weather allows. 
 

Operations: Yesterday, severe weather continued to impact suppression repair across the fire area, causing crews to return to camp before the end of shift. Based on predicted weather today, crews will remain in camp and monitor weather conditions. Suppression repair activity will resume when weather conditions improve to prevent any additional damage to existing roads and trails. 

Heavy rains and thunderstorms will continue impacting drainages, road networks, and slopes, resulting in flooding, debris flows and soft or washed-out roads. While thunderstorm potential will decline later this week and into the weekend, the current monsoonal weather pattern is expected to continue into early August. Assessment and repair work will continue when it is safe to do so, and when weather is favorable to meet suppression and rehabilitation objectives. 
 

Closures and Restrictions: Area closures remain in effect for both the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. These closures are in place for ongoing wildfire suppression repair operations, and to protect public health and safety in the event of debris flow and flash flooding. The wildfire suppression repair operations include, but are not limited to, road repair and stabilization, heavy equipment use, and fire line repair efforts. For the latest Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires closure orders information for both the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests, please see the links to each forest’s website below. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 
 

Weather: Yesterday, scattered thunderstorms developed in the afternoon with slow, erratic movements across most of the fire area by midafternoon. Occasional cloud to ground lightning was observed. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding were noted in the stronger storms over several areas within the fire scar and highway corridors. Increased thunderstorm activity remains in the forecast throughout the week with heavy rainfall and very localized flooding/debris flows possible. Temperatures will remain average to a little below average. 

Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Disaster Assistance Resources: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/| After Wildfire New Mexico Guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/| Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/ 

For questions or concerns related to flooding, please call the New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-432-2080. For federal disaster assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.  
 

Private Land Suppression Repair Survey (English and Spanish): https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair  

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

Online Fire Information Resources: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/| nmfireinfo.com |Santa Fe National Forest Twitter | tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe National Forest | Carson National Forest