Single Publication

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 19, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM

Acres: 341,424
Containment: 72%
Total personnel: 2,409 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: Located near Gallinas Canyon | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass  

Highlights: Lower temperatures, higher humidity, and precipitation on some parts of the fire have moderated fire behavior. Crews continue to monitor for heat and reposition in preparation for expected rain across the fire area. The risk of flash floods and debris flows will continue to increase over the next few days. The public is urged to remain alert and aware for warnings issued for their communities.  

Operations: 

North Zone (SWIMT1): The team is adjusting tactics and staffing throughout the zone to appropriately respond to current fire conditions. Crews will continue to monitor for areas of heat. Suppression repair crews continue to make good progress in the northeast and eastern areas of the zone, but work has slowed due to the threat of debris flows, rain, and lightning. Current conditions across the zone will remain moist, with smoldering and creeping fire behavior. The flash flood/debris flow threat is of great concern and will increase over the next several days. Early Saturday morning, two new fires were detected on the northeast side of Picuris Peak near Forest Road 114. Helicopter and engine crews responded and suppressed both fires quickly. All fire evacuation levels for Mora and Taos Counties have been removed. 

South Zone (SWIMT5): Fire behavior remained light yesterday due to higher humidity and increased cloud cover. Helicopters dropped 28,500 gallons of water yesterday to cool down hot spots along the western uncontained area. Chances for wetting rain will increase throughout today, with the potential for flash flooding. Because of the increased rain and thunderstorms, air operations may be limited. They will continue to drop water until the rain or thunderstorms causes them to be grounded. Crews will be prepared to move equipment from El Barro Peaks and Barillas Peak in advance of predicted weather. Existing road closures and evacuation levels remain in the fire area.  

Evacuations: For updated evacuation information from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak. The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM. For disaster assistance resources, visit: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/.   

Weather: Monsoonal moisture will remain in place over the region. The trough currently over southern California will move eastward bringing increased chance of showers and thunderstorms. Once again, locally heavy rain will be possible with the stronger storms along with gusty winds and lightning. High relative humidity and cloud cover will continue to moderate fire weather concerns. 

Closures and Restrictions: All National Forests in New Mexico have closures or restrictions in place due to extreme fire danger. To learn more about these closures and restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdy5y99r. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 
 
After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Interactive flood and debris flow map: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak After Wildfire New Mexico guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area  Emergency Response information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: Landowners within the fire area can complete this survey for assistance with suppression repair on their property: https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair

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/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak| nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |