Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 3, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM
Acres: 316,971 | Containment: 62% | Total personnel: 2,890
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: Expect to see substantial smoke around Spring Mountain as the fire becomes driven by terrain, heavy fuels and lower relative humidity. Anticipated strategic firing operations on the South Zone will also generate more smoke. However, lighter winds have enabled air resources to assist crews on the ground considerably the last few days. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.
Operations:North Zone (PNW2): Yesterday Hotshot crews continued to identify and mop up isolated heat on the northwest fire perimeter from Angostura to Ripley Point, then south to Serpent Lake. While there are fewer spots identified with the infrared technology, crews will cool every hot spot until the perimeter is secure. Favorable weather conditions also helped structure protection engines continue securing the perimeter along the NM Highway 518 up to Martinez Pond and from Chacon to Cleveland on NM Highway 121. Crews have also been able to contain the source of heat northwest of Chacon and the northern flank of the fire has not grown in several days. Two Wildland Fire Modules (Modules) have also joined fire operations on the North Zone. These specialty resources are trained to respond with minimal suppression techniques in remote areas that are difficult to access. The Modules will be working west of Ripley Point and Serpent Lake, looking at options to build contingency lines to the southeast of Peñasco toward the Rio de las Trampas to tie into the South Zone.
South Zone (SWIMT2): The most fire activity is around Spring Mountain, Bear Creek, and the Trampas Fire burn scar. Firefighters are working on strengthening indirect fireline in anticipation of firing operations over the next several days. The intent of these operations is to bring fire to the lines in a methodical and controlled manner. Air support and weather conditions are allowing more time to prepare, with the goal of protecting watersheds and tributaries of the Pecos River and homes in the NM Highway 63 corridor. Work continues from Tres Lagunas to Iron Gate Campground to strengthen control lines and add additional structure protection measures. West of Elk Mountain, crews are using equipment to construct line off Forest Road 645 to use as a primary holding feature when complete. Around Upper and Lower Colonias, crews are patrolling, mopping up, and assessing repair work needs. Two suppression repair groups are working on the east perimeter moving from interior to exterior, north to south. To prevent erosion, work includes rehabbing and pulling dozer line berms back in, putting in water bars and other features to divert water from exposed areas, and chipping and spreading slash.
Evacuations: Go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow:San Miguel County Sheriff facebook.com/smcso.nm
Mora County Sheriff facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice
Taos County Sheriff facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163
Colfax County Sheriff facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308
Santa Fe County Sheriff https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064737934118
The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM
Weather: Today will be the last day for cooler, more moderate temperatures before a warming trend returns this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and a chance of rain is possible along with winds between 15-20 mph, gusting to 30 mph. Daytime temperatures will be in the mid 60s-low 70s with relative humidity between 20-80%.
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: 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/.
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 |
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