Single Publication

Acres: 288,942 acres
Containment: 36% 
Total personnel: 1,930
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: The Facebook page for official fire information has changed to www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak. Please follow and reference this new page for video briefings, updates, photos, and live 6:00 PM community briefings. Today the Southwest Incident Management Team 3 (SWIMT3) assumed command of the lower half of the fire. The SWIMT 1 took management of the northern half, and the California IMT 2 will work to the north on a bigger-picture strategic plan for controlling this fire. The fire will remain active, with critically dry fuels and near-record temperatures. Both zones of the fire will continue to have heavy air support as conditions allow. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, and Colfax Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.  

Operations:

South: On the east perimeter, crews are monitoring and patrolling to address any issues. Interior fuel pockets continue to burn out but have not threatened any containment lines. Firefighters are addressing any remaining issues in the Mineral Hills and San Geronimo areas. The fire continues to burn below Barillas Peak on the southwest, and a dozer line to the Pecos Wilderness boundary is complete. Crews will try to fight the fire directly as it moves into an area they’ve identified as having a high probability of success. Aircraft will continue to be critical to these efforts. Structure protection groups remain in Bull Canyon, clearing fuels, setting up sprinkler systems, and enacting other protective measures. The fire continues to back slowly down into Bull Creek and Elk Creek into an old fire scar. Around Rociada and Gascon, the fire is moving away from homes, and structure protection groups remain in place. The fire continues to push into the wilderness in areas on the west side. 

Central (SWIMT1): The fire was active yesterday from the Angostura Trail to Serpentine Lake. Structure protection work continues in the Angostura community. The fire continues to move around Chacon, Holman, Cleveland, and Mora, but crews are working to keep it away from structures and putting in additional firelines. Near Guadalupita and Sierra Bonita, firefighters, dozers, and helicopters are trying to keep the fire at higher elevations to minimize impacts to these communities. Structure protection groups have a heavy presence in Highway 518, 121, 434, and 442 corridors, around Black Lake and up to Angel Fire. Fire managers are coordinating with local and mutual aid firefighters around Black Lake in these efforts.

North (CIMT2): In the north zone, planning is underway to look at additional locations where containment line may be constructed. This does not mean the fire will get to this area, but we are taking the opportunity to be proactive and prepared in advance of any threat.

Evacuations:  An evacuation map is available online. Or you can follow:  
San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office Facebook
Mora County Sheriff’s Office Facebook
Taos County Sheriff’s Office Facebook

Weather: West to southwest winds 15 to 20 mph, gusts to 25 on the north and central zones. Temperatures today range from the upper 60’s to mid-80’s depending on elevation. Minimum relative humidity 7 to 11%. 

Restrictions: Carson National Forest Camino Real Ranger District closure order and map. Santa Fe National Forest Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District closure order and map. Both have forest-wide Stage 2 fire restrictions in place.

Smoke: An interactive smoke map allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire Information: Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.govOnline at Inciweb| facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com/