Cerro Pelado And Freelove Fire Update

Friday, April 29, 2022

Hours: 8 am-8 pm  Phone: 505-312-4593 Email: 2022.CerroPelado@firenet.gov 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8075/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2022.Cerropeladofire  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantafeNF

 

Due to red flag warnings, dry conditions and strong gusty northwest winds, the communities of Cochiti Mesa and Peralta Caynon are under a “Go” evacuation status.

 

COMMUNITY MEETING: A public meeting about the Cerro Pelado fire will be held tomorrow, Saturday April 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, 6 Riverview Court, Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Members of the Southern Area Red Team and agency representatives will discuss and answer questions about current progress and planned activities on the fire. 

 

The Cerro Pelado Fire, 7 miles east of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, started on Friday, April 22, during an epic wind event. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees and brush. The east part of the fire is burning in the fire footprint from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire. The current fire footprint includes forest units that have previously been treated to reduce fire hazard. Three homes were lost in the fire. 

 

Acreage: 7,245 Containment: 15 %

Personnel and Equipment: 379 total personnel; 20 engines, 1 Type 1 hand crew, 6 Type 2 hand crews, 2 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 4 dozers, 1 rapid medical extraction unit and 5 water tenders. 

Yesterday: Mop up continued from the northwest side of the fire, to the southwest corner, then east to Paliza Canyon. Containment has increased from 5 to 15%. Bulldozers worked from Paliza Canyon east toward Peralta Ridge. The east side of the fire near Reid Canyon increased in activity and moved toward Woodard Ridge, Colle Canyon, Bland Canyon and the Cochiti Mining District. Heavy smoke was visible due to large logs burning in the old Los Conchas fire footprint. 

Freelove Fire: Yesterday afternoon a new fire started on the western side of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Freelove Canyon area. As of this morning 3.5 acres have burned in the old 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire footprint. Firefighters assigned to the Cerro Pelado fire assisted local resources with initial attack on the fire. Aviation resources were diverted from the Cerro Pelado fire. Helicopters dropped water and an airtanker dropped a load of retardant. Firefighters have completed firelines and are mopping up today. The Southern Area Red Team has assumed command of the fire, now known as the Freelove fire. The cause of the fire is unknown.

There was a well-attended public meeting in Los Alamos on Thursday night. Eighty participants attended in person and 300 attended via Zoom. The video of the meeting will be posted on the 2022 Cerro Pelado Fire Information Facebook page.

Today: Firefighters are preparing for active fire behavior. Mop up continues from the northwest side of the fire, to the southwest corner, then east to Paliza Canyon. Firefighters are increasing the depth of mop-up from 50 ft to 100 ft to provide additional protection for the Sierra de Los Pinos community. Chipping will continue on the west side of the fire toward the east to reduce burnable vegetation. They will improve firelines and search for hotspots as they move south toward Peralta Ridge. Crews will be added to the southeast corner of the fire due to increased fire activity expected in that area. The winds this afternoon may prohibit the use of aircraft, which will restrict ground resource work.

 

Weather and Fire Behavior: High winds are expected today and a Red Flag Warning has been declared by the National Weather Service from 9 am to 9 pm. Wind gusts will be up to 40 mph with low humidity. West winds will strengthen in the morning and shift to the northwest. The strongest winds are likely to occur just after noon, bringing cooler temperatures in the 50s to low 60s. The northwesterly winds are expected to push the fire to the southeast. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph could cause spotting up to 1 mile. Dry air and winds will combine, creating critical conditions across the region. Saturday will bring warmer temperatures in the wake of the cold front, but wind speeds will decrease. 

 

Very low relative humidity and high winds will increase fire intensity in hotspots today. The probability of ignition is 96% with spotting up to one mile. Wind alignment with the San Juan drainage will increase fire intensity and spread potential along the Forest Service 10 and 270 roads. 

 

The east side of the fire in the Las Conchas fire area will continue to actively burn and move to the east. Large logs and stumps in recently burned areas off of the FR 270 system will continue to burn. Pockets of unburned fuels may exhibit very active burning with single and group torching possible. Spotting up to a mile is possible.

 

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: The Sandoval County Fire Department and Emergency Management will provide updated information on evacuations, as needed. Due to red flag warnings, dry conditions and strong gusty northwest winds, the communities of Cochiti Mesa and the Peralta Canyon are under a “Go” evacuation status. Evacutions for the Sierra De Los Pinos remain in “set” mode, meaning being ready to leave at a moment’s notice. If conditions change and the fire threatens the community again, these areas could return to “Go.” 

Air quality: Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking, https://nmtracking.org./fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Closures: NM Highway 4 remains open to local traffic only. Motorists should drive slowly along the highway with headlights on. Fire equipment and firefighters will be travelling along Highway 4 and accessing the fire, especially at intersections with FR 10 and FR 280. If heavy traffic impedes firefighting efforts and endangers firefighter safety, Highway 4 could be closed again.

The Santa Fe National Forest issued a closure order restricting public access to the area around the fire. Specifically, all Forest Service lands within an area roughly defined by NM Highway 4 on the west, Valles Caldera National Preserve on the north, Bandelier National Monument on the east, and Zia Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo on the south are closed to the public. Order Number 10-506. https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/

Valles Caldera National Preserve remains closed until further notice. 

Fire Restrictions: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Santa Fe National Forest, which prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of flammable material. For other activities prohibited under Stage II Fire Restrictions, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/. Also, due to ongoing fire threats, Sandoval County will not issue burn permits.

Temporary Flight Restriction: There is a flight restriction on the area over the fire (10 nautical miles southwest of Los Alamos, NOTAM 2/2366). https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_2366.html . Drones over the fire are also prohibited. 

 Attached is a .pdf of the smoke forecast that can be printed. For more details and a full report, visit::https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/736b0fb8

 

Today’s air quality may see some spikes into Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) and UNHEALTHY in communities east of the fire. Areas west of the fire should remain GOOD with periods of MODERATE. Highway 4 will likely see periods of smoke, hampering visibility. Please stay alert to changing conditions and drive slow!

 Valles Caldera Remains Closed; New Fire Start on West Side 

 

Jemez Springs, NM – The Cerro Pelado Fire continues to burn south of Valles Caldera National Preserve within the Santa Fe National Forest. In order to protect public and firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations on the Cerro Pelado Fire, Valles Caldera National Preserve remains closed until further notice. 

New Mexico State Route 4 is open again to local traffic. If heavy traffic impedes firefighting efforts and endangers firefighter safety, the road could be closed again. 

A new fire start was detected on the western side of the park in the area of Freelove Canyon this afternoon. The initial report is that 3.3 acres have burned and the initial attack on the fire is being done by the Type I team currently fighting the Cerro Pelado Fire. Crews are on the ground working on the fire. Cause of the start is unknown at this time. 

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Fire updates are being posted on: 

Inciweb  Santa Fe National Forest’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed  Santa Fe National Forest’s Closures and Restrictions interactive map Valles Caldera National Preserve’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed  New Mexico Fire Information website 

 

 — nps.gov/vall — 

 

 Cerro Pelado Fire Update

Thursday, April 28, 2022

 

Hours: 8 am-8 pm      Phone: 505-312-4593   Email: 2022.CerroPelado@firenet.gov   
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8075/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2022.Cerropeladofire     Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantafeNF

COMMUNITY MEETING: A public meeting about the Cerro Pelado fire will be held tonight, Thursday, April 28th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Los Alamos High School, Griffith Gym, 1300 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos, New Mexico. Members of the Southern Area Red Team and agency representatives will discuss and answer questions about current progress and planned activities for the fire. The meeting will be available virtually via the Cerro Pelado Facebook page and Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5056632222  Meeting ID: 505 663 2222, no passcode is needed.

 

The Cerro Pelado Fire, 7 miles east of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, started on Friday, April 22, during an epic wind event. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees and brush. The east part of the fire is burning in the fire footprint from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire. The current fire footprint includes forest units that have previously been treated to reduce fire hazard. Three homes were lost in the fire. 

 

Acreage: 6119 Containment: 5 percent 

 

Personnel and Equipment: 360 total personnel; 16 engines, 1 Type 1 hand crew, 6 Type 2 hand crews, 3 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 2 dozers, 1 rapid medical extraction unit and 4 water tenders. 

Yesterday: Firefighters mopped up hotspots along the north side of the fire by the SLP community  They also started to mop up on the southwest side of the fire where they had conducted strategic firing operations. On the southeast side of the fire, firefighters started a tactical firing operation along the Forest Road 270 system. They also used bulldozers to construct fireline in this area. Winds were too gusty for helicopters to fly, but firefighters monitored the fire from fixed wing aircraft. They observed very little smoke on the two spot fires on the east side. Large logs continued to burn in the old Los Conchas footprint. 

Today: Firefighters are taking every opportunity to prepare for Friday’s wind event. In the Sierra de los Pinos community, firefighters continue to improve structure protection. They will improve and hold lines on the northwest side of the fire working to the southeast to provide containment. Firefighters will mop along the western and southern portion of the fire. They will also start chipping operations on the west side of the fire to reduce burnable vegetation. Firefighters will use bulldozers to construct fireline near Paliza Canyon on the east side of the fire. They will also install water lines for structure protection on the east side of the fire adjacent to the two spot fires. Helicopters and air tankers will monitor fire behavior in the Los Conchas Fire footprint for hotspots. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Above-normal temperatures will combine with dry, southwest winds to create elevated fire weather conditions today. High temperatures will be in the mid 60s to low 70s. Winds will be southwest, mostly 10-12 mph with 18-23 mph gusts. 

 

Friday will bring critical fire weather across the region. A red flag warning will be in effect from 9 am to 9 pm. West-southwest winds will strengthen ahead of a dry cold front. As the front approaches just after noon on Friday, strong and gusty winds will turn from west-southwest to northwest with gusts of up to 40 mph. 

 

On the north side of the fire low relative humidity and high winds will increase fire intensity in hotspots from recent tactical firing operations. Areas that have been quiet at the northeast section of the fire at the head of Paliza Canyon may become active. The east side of the fire in the Las Conchas fire footprint will continue to actively burn and move to the east. Large pieces of logs and stumps in recently burned areas off of the 270 road system will continue to burn. Wind may align with topography resulting in active fire behavior in this area, creating higher potential for spotting across handlines in recently burned areas.

 

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: The Sandoval County Fire Department and Emergency Management will provide updated information on evacuations, as needed. Evacuations will be downgraded to “set” for the Sierra de Los Pinos and Cochiti Mesa communities at noon today. Returning residents should remain in “set” mode, meaning being ready to leave on moment’s notice. If conditions change and the fire threatens communities again, these areas could return to “go".

Air quality: Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking, https://nmtracking.org./fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Closures: NM Highway 4 will open to local traffic effective today at noon. Motorists should drive slowly along the highway with headlights on. Fire equipment and firefighters will be travelling along Highway 4 and accessing the fire, especially at intersections with Forest Service Road 10 and Forest Service Road 280. If heavy traffic impedes firefighting efforts and endangers firefighter safety, Highway 4 could be closed again.

The Santa Fe National Forest issued a closure order restricting public access to the area around the fire. Specifically, all Forest Service lands within an area roughly defined by NM Highway 4 on the west, Valles Caldera National Preserve on the north, Bandelier National Monument on the east, and Zia Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo on the south are closed to the public. Order Number 10-506. https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/

Fire Restrictions: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Santa Fe National Forest, which prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of flammable material. For other activities prohibited under Stage II Fire Restrictions, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/

Also, due to ongoing fire threats, Sandoval County will not issue burn permits.

Temporary Flight Restriction: There is a flight restriction on the area over the fire (10 nautical miles southwest of Los Alamos, NOTAM 2/2366). https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_2366.html . Drones over the fire are also prohibited. 

 Attached is a .pdf of the smoke forecast that can be printed. Detailed post:https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/736b0fb8

 

Today’s forecast is similar to yesterday with haze and overall GOOD to MODERATE air quality. May see some periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) in the forecast areas nearest to the fire. Shifting winds on Friday may bring more smoke into the Santa Fe area.

 Cerro Pelado Fire Update

Wednesday, April 27, 2022
 

Hours: 8 am-8 pm Phone: 505-312-4593 Email: 2022.CerroPelado@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8075/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2022.Cerropeladofire Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantafeNF
 

The Cerro Pelado Fire, 7 miles east of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, started on Friday, April 22, during an epic wind event. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees and brush. The east part of the fire is burning in the fire footprint from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire. The current fire footprint includes forest units that have previously been treated to reduce fire hazard.

A public meeting in Los Alamos is planned for Thursday, time and location to be determined.
 

Acreage: 5711 Containment: 0 percent

Personnel and Equipment: 281 total personnel; 14 engines, 1 Type 1 Hotshot crew, 4 Type 2 crews, 4 Type

2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 1 dozer, 1 rapid medical extraction unit, and 3 water tenders.

Yesterday: Firefighters improved lines on the northern side of the fire to protect Sierra de Los Pinos and

Cochiti Mesa communities. On the southwest side of the fire, they strengthened roads that will be firelines by brushing them out with dozers and by hand. They also completed a small strategic firing operation on the southwest corner of the fire. Structure protection assessments continued on the fire. Air tankers dropped retardant on the east side of the fire. Firefighters observed that lines in place are effectively holding the fire under current conditions.

A public meeting about the Cerro Pelado Fire was held yesterday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Jemez

Mountain Baptist Church, 6 Riverview Court, Jemez Springs, New Mexico. For those who were unable to

attend, a video will be posted on the Cerro Pelado Facebook page.

Today: Firefighters will improve and hold lines on the north side of the fire to provide containment. They will

mop up the small strategic firing operation they completed in the southwest corner last night. On the southern end of the fire eastward to the Los Conchas footprint, firefighters will continue with dozer lines and building some hand lines. Helicopters and air tankers will be used to keep fire behavior minimal in the Los Conchas Fire footprint. Firefighters hope to make good progress prior to the incoming critical fire weather on Thursday and Friday.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Thunderstorms and lightening are possible today. These storms may contain

strong and gusty winds that are very erratic. If thunderstorms develop, their variable winds could push the fire in any direction traveling up to 10 acres in an hour. The temperature will be in the low to mid 60s with a

maximum temperature of 68 degrees. Winds will be south to southwest mostly 12 mph with 25 mph gusts.

Winds are expected to pick up Thursday into Friday. Friday will be a critical weather day with sustained westnorthwest winds at 20 mph gusting around 35 mph and minimal relative humidity of 10.

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: The Sandoval County Fire Department and Emergency Management will

provide updated information on evacuations, as needed. The Sierra de Los Pinos and Cochiti Mesa

communities remain evacuated. Evacuees may seek shelter at the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, 6

Riverview Court, Jemez Springs, New Mexico, 575-829-4475. Those who evacuated livestock may bring them to the Expo/New Mexico Center at 300 San Pedro Drive NW, Albuquerque or the Sandoval County Sheriff’s  Posse Arena at 1043 Rodeo Lane, Bernalillo, New Mexico (call Yvette Arnold 505-263-6388).

At this time, due to unsafe conditions, evacuees are not allowed to return to their homes in the fire area.

The fire is 0 percent contained, and due to upcoming hot, dry and windy weather,

the area will be extremely dangerous.
 

Air quality: Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health

Tracking, https://nmtracking.org./fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to

zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Closures: New Mexico State Police have closed NM Highway 4 from the junction with NM 126 east to nearly the NM 501 intersection at the Los Alamos “back gate.” Please stay clear of the Jemez Springs area to keep yourself and firefighters safe.
 

The Santa Fe National Forest issued a closure order restricting public access to the area around the fire.

Specifically, all Forest Service lands within an area roughly defined by NM Highway 4 on the west, Valles

Caldera National Preserve on the north, Bandelier National Monument on the east, and Zia Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo on the south are closed to the public. Order Number 10-506. https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/

Fire Restrictions: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Santa Fe National Forest, which prohibits

building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in

an area at

 Attached is a .pdf of the smoke forecast that can be printed. 
  https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/736b0fb8
 

Overall GOOD to MODERATE air quality with periods of USG expected for the forecast area for today and tomorrow.

  

 CERRO PELADO FIRE AREA CLOSURE 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the “Fire Closure Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, Sandoval County, New Mexico. 

1. Going into or being upon the Fire Closure Area. 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.52(e) and 261.53(e). 

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 

1. Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty. 

FIRE CLOSURE AREA 

The Fire Closure Area is within Township 16 North, Range 1 East, Section 2; Township 16 North , Range 2 East, Sections 4-9, 13,24,26-29,32,33,36; Township 17 North, Ranger 1 East, Section -10-12; Township 17 North, Range 2 East, Sections 1,2, 11-13,17,18,31,35,36; Township 18 North, Range 2 East, Sections 7,8,16-19,21,28,33; Township 16N, Range 3 East, Sections 1-18, 25-29,31-36; Township 17 North, Range 3 East, Sections 1-36; Township 18 North, Range 3 East, Sections 1,5,6-10, 12-18, 19-24; Township 17 North, Range 4 East, Sections 1-36; Township 18 North, Range 4 East, Sections 1-3, 6-12, 15-17; Township 17 North, Range 5 East, Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, 34-36; Township 18 North, Range 5 East, Sections 10-15. Specifically all Forest Service lands from the west of Bandelier National Monument, and north of Santo Domingo and Zia Pueblo and all lands east of HWY 4 and south of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Order Number: 10-506 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger in the Fire Closure Area. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1.This Order will be effective on April 26, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., and shall remain ineffect until December 31, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2.A map identifying the Fire Closure Area is attached and made part of thisOrder as Exhibit A.

3.Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine ofnot more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonmentfor not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6),

18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)).

4.Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Jemez Ranger Districtlocated in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, telephone number Jemez 575-829-3535, andat the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico,telephone number 505 438-5300.

 Hours: 8 am-8 pm            Phone:  505-312-4593      Email: 2022.CerroPelado@firenet.gov      

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8075/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2022.Cerropeladofire         Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantafeNF

COMMUNITY MEETING: A public meeting about the Cerro Pelado Fire will be held tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, 6 Riverview Court, Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Members of the Southern Area Red Team and agency representatives will discuss and answer questions about current progress and planned activities for the fire. For those unable to attend, a video will be posted to the above-stated Cerro Pelado Facebook page.

The Cerro Pelado Fire, 7 miles east of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, started on Friday, April 22 during an epic wind event. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees and brush. The fire is close to the fire footprint from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire, the 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire and the 2017 Cajete Fire. The current fire footprint includes forest units that have previously been treated to reduce fire hazard.  

 

Acreage: 4,903  Containment: 0 percent 

 

Personnel and Equipment:  232 total personnel; 8 engines, 1 Type 1 crew, 4 Type 2 crews, 3 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, and 2 water tenders. More people and equipment have been ordered.

 

Yesterday:  Fire behavior was moderate, with minimal spread to the north and east. A break from critical fire weather helped firefighters make good progress building firelines to contain the fire, especially handline near the fire’s edge on the northwest side of the fire, where containment is needed to protect communities. These firelines are not yet complete and need to be improved before containment is reached. Therefore, the Sierra de Los Pinos and Cochiti Mesa communities of about 100 residences remain evacuated. Firefighters also continued making good progress on structure assessments in the fire area. These assessments evaluate how to protect each structure from the fire.  Helicopters continued reconnaissance and bucket drops on the fire and firefighters scouted locations for firelines along the Forest Service Road 270 system from Rivera Ranch east to Paliza Canyon. A small strategic firing operation was carried out to improve containment and protect a structure at the southwest corner of the fire.

 

Today:  Firefighters are preparing for dry and windy weather and severe fire conditions that will take place later this week. They will continue to protect structures near the fire in the Sierra de Los Pinos and Cochiti Mesa communities. They will construct and improve handline and will begin to install sprinkler systems to protect the Sierra de Los Pinos community and keep the fire east of Forest Service Road 10. Small, strategic firing operations may be conducted again today at the southwest corner of the fire. At the south end of the fire, they will build containment lines by hand or with bulldozers and use existing roads to keep the fire north of Forest Service Road 270. Helicopters will also fly reconnaissance missions over the fire assessing fire behavior and dropping water. Firefighters will consult with resource advisors before conducting any ground-disturbing activities in order to protect sites of cultural importance. They will also patrol and monitor the fire at night.

 

Weather and Fire Behavior: A potential for some cumulus clouds to develop this afternoon may cause isolated sprinkles or virga (rain evaporating before it reaches the ground) with gusty variable winds, which would not result in wetting rain. High temperatures will be near 60 degrees and relative humidity 20-24 percent. Southeast winds shifting to south will be 5-10 mph, with gusts 20-25mph.Winds become more southwesterly tomorrow, and will start to push low level moisture eastward with a potential for a few thunderstorms. Any storms tomorrow may be dry or a mix of dry and wet with gusty, variable winds. Winds are expected to pick up Thursday into Friday, which will be a critical fire weather day with sustained winds 25=35 mph gusting around 45 mph and relative humidity in the single digits.

.

Although weather conditions have moderated, active fire behavior is possible today. On the northern part of the fire, southerly winds will push fire the north. On the west, this will push fire toward Vallecitos los Indios. Previous fuels treatments in this area will reduce fire behavior it enters this area. On the northeast, fire will push into burn footprints from the Cajete and Las Conchas fires These fire footprints have been diminishing fire behavior the last several days, and this is expected to continue. The most active fire behavior is expected in the eastern point of the fire, where it will continue to burn east into the Las Conches fire footprint. Large logs and stumps continue to burn in this area. The southern flank of the fire will continue to move south with mostly backing fire.

 

Evacuations, Shelter Areas: The Sandoval County Fire Department and Emergency Management will provide updated information on evacuations, as needed. The Sierra de Los Pinos and Cochiti Mesa communities remain evacuated. Evacuees may seek shelter at the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, 6 Riverview Court, Jemez Springs, New Mexico, 575-829-4475. Those who evacuated livestock may bring them to the Expo/New Mexico Center at 300 San Pedro Drive NW, Albuquerque or the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Posse Arena at 1043 Rodeo Lane, Bernalillo, New Mexico (call Yvette Arnold 505-263-6388).

At this time, due to the unsafe conditions, evacuees are not being allowed back into their homes in the fire area. The fire is 0 percent contained, and due to upcoming hot, dry and windy weather,                                       the area will be extremely dangerous.

Air quality: Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking, https://nmtracking.org./fire.  An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Closures: New Mexico State Police have closed NM Highway 4 from the junction with NM 126 east to nearly the NM 501 intersection at the Los Alamos “back gate.”  Please stay clear of the Jemez Springs area to keep yourself and firefighters safe.  

Fire Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest is preparing a closure order to restrict public access to the area around the fire. Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Santa Fe National Forest, which prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of flammable material. For other activities prohibited under Stage II Fire Restrictions, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/

Also, due to ongoing fire threats, Sandoval County will not issue burn permits.

Temporary Flight Restriction:  There is a flight restriction on the area over the fire (10 nautical miles southwest of Los Alamos, NOTAM 2/2366). https://www.tfr.faa.gov.  Drones over the fire are also prohibited. 

 Smoke report for April 26, 2022
 Overall GOOD to MODERATE air quality expected for the forecast area for today and tomorrow. Low lying areas may have smoke persist in the morning due to inversion but should clear out by early afternoon.

For a printable version, visit:https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/736b0fb8