Wind advisory and dry conditions on Hermits Peak Fire
April 20, 2022, Daily Update, 10:00AM
Acres: 7,573 acres
Start Date: April 6, 2022
Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary
Containment: 81%
Total personnel: 460
Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness
Fuels: Mixed conifer
Highlights: With the high winds today, firefighting crews will stay focused on the Hermit’s Peak Fire and holding containment. The Southwest Region is now elevated to a Preparedness Level of 4. Firefighter and public safety remain our number one priority. There was a new fire start on Tuesday in Upper Gallinas, the Calf Canyon Fire. Team 1 supported the fire with two task forces. The phone number for the Hermits Peak Fire has been changed and is also the number to call for information on the Calf Canyon Fire. The new phone number is 505-398-1151.
Operations: Building and reinforcing containment lines on the northeast edge of the fire continues to be the focus today, along with looking for any potential signs of heat or smoke, with the potential for extreme fire behavior. Extreme winds and steep terrain have been difficult. There is no smoke on the north side of the fire. Our lines are holding, and crews continue to patrol and mop up the area. Suppression repair is also ongoing. Crews will continue removing equipment and hose lines near homes. The firefighters that hiked to the top of Hermits Peak yesterday successfully extinguished the hot spots near the trailhead, built containment and hiked off the peak last night. Resources are focused on suppressing the Hermits Peak Fire as quickly and safely as possible, protecting nearby communities. Due to the extreme wind, we cannot utilize air resources.
Evacuations: All evacuation statuses are current and valid. Traffic into affected communities is restricted to residents only. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate the situation and utilize the Ready, Set, Go! system. Information and details on evacuation orders are available on the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smcso.nm
Weather: Strong winds will be present today and temperatures will continue to rise. A wind advisory and Red Flag warning have been issued for today, with gusts to 50 mph. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist for the remainder of the week. Friday will bring the next big system and wind event, potentially along with the warmest temperatures so far this season.
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, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. The TFR has been expanded to absorb Gallinas and the area around the Calf Canyon Fire. 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: Increasing smoke and haze today with a new fire in the area, along with blowing dust due to very high winds, will affect air quality. Brief periods of reduced visibilities may be encountered along NM 518, especially during the evening and nighttime hours between Las Vegas, Sapello, and Storrie Lake. Please exercise caution if travelling. 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 are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. The new phone number for Information is 505-398-1151. The email address is 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov. Future fire information will continue to be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.
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