Single Publication

Acres:  176,273 acres
Containment: 21%
Total personnel:  1,535
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: A Red Flag Warning began yesterday, carried through the night, and continues today and into tonight. A High Wind Warning has also been issued through Monday, resulting in very active fire behavior in some areas. Leading up to this wind event, firefighters put in many control measures to stop and check the fire and continue to do so. These control features are holding in some areas, but the wind is testing them in others. The scooper planes and type 1 helicopters could fly longer than anticipated yesterday, which helped ground efforts. Today air resources will assist if they can but expect winds to keep them grounded most of the day. Structure protection groups have done an immense amount of work in communities and around houses and other structures. This work helps mitigate risks to properties as the fires move. Firefighters will continue to fight the fire and protect homes as long as it's safe. As a backup, contingency lines have been, and continue to be, constructed further out from the fire in anticipation of potential movement. Please take extra care not to start new fires as this could put firefighters in additional danger and take them away from fighting this fire. The San Miguel and Mora County Sheriffs ask residents to remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

Operations: Firefighters worked hard to protect homes and other values near the Goat Hills, Mineral Hills, and Blue Hills communities yesterday, the most active area of the fire. This area is a high priority today. Overnight crews enacted more protection measures for holding it and will look for additional strategies today. The fire became more active in the wilderness yesterday, but scooper planes got in early to drop water and help check it. The winds were favorable in the higher elevations from the wilderness up to Enchanted Lake, resulting in little movement even in the heavy fuels. In populated areas on the western side, firefighters will help direct fire around homes and other values. Near Cleveland, winds have been a favorable north to northwest, buying crews time to work along 518, 121, 434, and 442 to get more structure protection measures and additional dozer lines in. The east side of the fire from Ledoux to Las Tusas is being monitored and patrolled, meaning crews are watching things, mopping up hot spots, and addressing issues. Around Montezuma and up the Gallinas corridor, there continues to be a structure protection presence, and things are looking good. Interior spots popped up throughout the interior but were not threatening lines. Although there was torching in the interior around Las Vegas, lines are holding. The mutual aid group continues to help in this area. 

Evacuations: Scan the QR code for the latest evacuation map or visit the ArcGIS Map. The communities of Cinder Road and Camp Luna are downgraded to SET STATUS. It is imperative to respect closures and follow evacuation orders. Please follow San Miguel County and Mora County Sheriff’s Facebook pages for the latest updates at https://www.facebook.com/smcso.nm and https://www.facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice.

Weather: The winds will be stronger today than yesterday. On the southern end, winds will be southwest to west 30 to 35 mph with gusts 50 to 55. In the Mora River Valley, winds will be west to northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts 30 to 35. Maximum temperatures will be in the upper 60’s to low-80’s. Minimum relative humidity values will be 5 to 11%.

Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest closure order includes the entire Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. Forest-wide Stage 2 fire restrictions have been implemented. Full closure order and map are available at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/santafe/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3802009.

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