Single Publication

  

Acres: 7,081 acres

Start Date:  April 6, 2022

Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary

Containment: 33%

Total personnel: 520

Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness

Fuels: Mixed conifer

There will be a virtual community meeting at 8PM hosted on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the Hermits Peak Fire on Friday, April 15, 2022, and continued containment efforts overnight, increasing total containment to 33%. Although unfavorable weather and wind conditions in steep terrain are challenging firefighters, steady progress is being made with the end goal of lifting evacuation orders. Evacuation statuses remain unchanged. Video updates are made available daily on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/.

 

Operations: Although fire spread has all but halted, there is still potential for increased activity today due to dry winds and dry fuels. As the winds moderate, firefighting aircraft have begun to support operations on the ground with water drops and reconnaissance flights. Main areas of focus are parts of the Fireline closest to communities. Firefighters will be working along the southwestern corner of the fire to extinguish any lingering heat near the heel of the fire. This will create defensive space for El Porvenir, Porvenir Canyon, Lower Canyon Road, and Gallinas. In the north and northeast, firefighters are fortifying containment lines near San Ignacio, La Canada, and Las Tusas.

 

Evacuations: The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office has issued several evacuation orders using the Ready, Set, Go! system. The following areas are in “Go” status (i.e., residents should be evacuating): Las Dispensas, Pendaries Village, San Ignacio, Las Tusas, Lone Pine Mesa, Canoncito, La Canada, Manuelitas, Lower Canyon Road in Gallinas Canyon and La Tewa, Chavez, County A3, Southwest Sapello, and Southern Tierra Monte-Canyon. The following areas are in “Set” status (i.e., residents should be preparing for a potential evacuation): Upper Rociada, Rociada, Pendaries Valley East, Penasco Blanco, South Carmen, Northern Tierra Monte-Canyon, Big Pine, Canovas Canyon, El Porvenir, Gallinas, Trout Springs, Northeast and Southeast Sapello, and Los Alamitos. An evacuation shelter is available at the Old Memorial Middle School gym located at the corner of Legion and Old National in Las Vegas.

 

Weather: Dry westerly flow will usher in another gusty day with 10-15 mph winds . Single-digit relative humidity values will persist again this afternoon. Expect high temperatures between 57F and 67F.

 

Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Hermits Peak Fire. The full closure order and map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: www.nifc.gov/drones. 

 

Smoke: Smoke from the Hermits Peak Fire may be visible from Gallinas, El Porvenir, San Pablo, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo, Gascon, Pendaries, Rociada, Mora, Ledoux, Las Vegas, and along the I-25 corridor. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

 

Future Fire Information: The Hermits Peak Fire Information office hours (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM), phone number (505-663-6334), and email address (2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov) will remain the same after the transition to the Type 1 Team. Future fire information will continue to be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.