Single Publication

Suppression repair progress interrupted by rain and flooding
 July 22, 2022 – Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire Update

Acres: 341,735| Containment: 93% | Total personnel: 654|
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: 12 miles NW of Las Vegas, NM | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

Highlights: A recorded informational update for the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire has been posted on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/. This video contains informational updates and important resources from the Incident Management Team; the Taos, San Miguel, and Mora County Offices of Emergency Management; the Burned Area Emergency Response Team; and the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. The Southwest Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire to the Southwest Incident Management Team 5 on Monday, July 25, at 7:00 AM. This is the final update from Southwest Team 4. The Team extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the local communities for their support and hospitality throughout this incident.

Operations: Heavy rain fell across the majority of the fire area, producing over an inch of rain in less than an hour in some places, causing substantial flooding. Some firefighting resources were temporarily blocked by a landslide of debris on Highway 121, requiring several hours to remove the material for safe passage. To maintain the safety of incident personnel, firefighters had to temporarily withdraw from their suppression repair work but were able to make notable progress in the days prior. Ahead of the rains, crews were able to continue pulling logs out of the Gallinas Creek drainage. Dozer repair work was successfully completed around Elk Mountain to the west and Martinez Pond to the north. Once conditions improve, a hand crew and grader will move into these areas to do some additional cleanup work. Despite the adverse weather, firefighters are taking advantage of favorable conditions in the mornings to complete critical suppression repairs on both private and National Forest System lands before the afternoon thunderstorms move into the fire area.

Closures and Restrictions: Area closures remain in effect for both the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. These closures are in place for ongoing wildfire suppression repair operations, and to protect public health and safety in the event of debris flow and flash flooding. The wildfire suppression repair operations include, but are not limited to, road repair and stabilization, heavy equipment use, and fire line repair efforts. For the latest information about the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires closure orders for both the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests, please see the links to each forest’s website below. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/.

Weather: A persistent weather pattern will continue today with morning sun and afternoon clouds, along with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storm coverage should be slightly less than the past couple of days. Lightning, heavy rain, and localized flooding are possible. Temperatures will be near seasonal normal values with highs ranging from the 60s in the higher elevations to the upper 80s in the low valleys. Scattered afternoon showers and storms are possible through the weekend.

Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Disaster Assistance Resources: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/| After Wildfire New Mexico Guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/| Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/

For questions or concerns related to flooding, please call the New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-432-2080. For federal disaster assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

Private Land Suppression Repair Survey (English and Spanish): https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636| Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov

Online Fire Information Resources: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/| nmfireinfo.com |Santa Fe National Forest Twitter | tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe National Forest | Carson National Forest