Roswell, NM- Quiet weather conditions last night helped firefighting crews hold the Overflow Fire, near Roswell, New Mexico to 1900 acres. Today, the crews are focused on increasing containment, which is at 50 percent. There is still heat and individual torching within the interior boundary. Smoke will be visible to the public as fuels continue to be consumed. Fire crews continue to mop up with goal of a 20-foot-wide secured line around the perimeter by the end of the burn period today. The southern end of the Overflow Fire is bordered by the wetlands and is now in monitor status. Resources on the fire remain at six engines, two hot shot crews, and one bulldozer. Air support resources remain on standby.  

Several powerlines in the area were damaged due to the fire in the area. The lines are not currently charged. The electric company will work on restoring the damaged lines throughout the day. Residents may notice additional traffic due to fire crews and electric companies responding to events in the area. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for southeastern New Mexico due to expected high winds and low relative humidities. Sunday’s weather forecast is currently for stronger winds, lower humidity, and a continuing red flag warning. Fire crews are aware of this circumstance. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website can provide air quality information and protect your health. Fire update information will be posted on New Mexico Fire Information at www.nmfireinfo.com and Inciweb at www.Inciweb.nwcg.gov websites. 

  Britt Fire
Final Update
 
Size:8,000 acres (mapped)
Containment:100%
Cause: Powerline

Today, April 9, 2022, the TAMFS Childress Taskforce had went out to the Britt fire in the morning to mop up and patrol. No heats were detected and no concerns were observed throughout the day. A total of 107 structures were threatened and saved. TAMFS has fully transitioned the incident to locals. 

   Britt Fire

Size:8,152 acres (mapped)
Containment:90%
Cause: Powerline

Yesterday, April 8, 2022, the TAMFS Childress Task Force had returned to the fire at 10:00 am and mopped up and patrolled the fire extinguishing any hotspots found. Along with tying in dozer lines around the fire where they were needed. Aviation was ordered to help monitor the fire. Weather posed no issue. 

For today, April 9, 2022, Crews will return to the the fire and mop up and patrol, along with getting a total structure count. 

Weather
 Extreme fire weather is expected for today with high winds, low humidity and high temperatures. The Childress Task Force and TIFMAS Strike Tam will be ready for initial attack (IA) from the fire in case any new starts occur.

 Britt Fire

Size:8,152 acres (mapped)
Containment:75%
Cause: Powerline

Yesterday, April 7, 2022, A wildfire started from a powerline in Wheeler County just North of Kelton. The Texas A&M Forest Service were requested by the Wheler county EMC for assistance at 6:00 pm and worked in unified command with Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department. High Winds throughout the day made the fire very resistant to control. Crews were engaged on the left flank north of Hwy 152 with heavy equipment and engines. Aviation was utilized to monitor the fire from above and to relay information to ground crews. Fire and wind activity decreased significantly when the sun went down. Crews used this to their advantage and were able to make good progress on the fire. Forward progression of the fire was stopped around this time as well. Crews slowly started to be released for the night. Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department stayed over night to monitor the fire.

For today, April 8, 2022, Crews will return to the the fire at 10:00 am and will begin to mop up and patrol any hotspots. Engines will also be patrolling structures that were threatened and extinguishing any hot spots found. Heavy equipment will be engaged with tying in any line where need be. Aviation resources will be available today if needed.

Weather
 Winds are forecasted to be out of the North sustaining at 20-25 mph and gusts to 35. With relative humidity values as low as 10%. For latest weather updates, refer to local weather forecasts.

Structures
Multiple structures were threatened, but no confirmed number on losses. Crews will patrol structures today to assess.

   

Additional crews arrive to bolster suppression repair efforts

July 18, 2022 – Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire Update

 Acres: 341,735| Containment: 93% | Total personnel: 656| 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: Firefighters are taking great pride in helping the private landowners with their suppression repair needs. As additional requests are received, crews continue to respond wherever needs are identified. Over the weekend, 8 crews, 3 Type 6 engines, and heavy equipment arrived to support and strengthen fire suppression repair efforts. 

Operations: Weekend rains temporarily delayed suppression efforts, but crews persevered and continued to complete work in areas where the weather was more favorable. Crews are removing cut logs in the Gallinas drainage to help prevent debris from moving downstream. Task Force Leaders specifically assigned to lead crews in suppression repair are scouting for dozer lines and fence work around the fire area. Firefighters completed dozer line repairs west of El Barros Peaks, along with hand and dozer lines surrounding Barillas Lookout Tower. Near Barillas Peak, crews are working with an excavator to repair fire lines on Forest Road 220. Resource Advisors are assessing the fire suppression repairs along Hamilton Mesa Trail to determine if the repairs meet wilderness standards and if additional work needs to be completed. Crews are using three dozers in the Grassy Mountain area to repair dozer lines while also using a skidder to move logs. Crews are working on Forest Road B032 south of Martinez Pond, which is anticipated to take 6 to 8 days to complete. Firefighters also scouted the area around Lonesome Dove Ranch to assess their suppression repair needs. In Chacon, crews are using bulldozers to remove berms, excavators to construct water bars to prevent erosion, skidders to remove logs, and chippers to cut and scatter branches and limbs into small wood pieces.

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, hazard tree felling, 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: Conditions will be mostly sunny this morning, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The main hazards associated with any storm include lightning, locally heavy rainfall, and the potential for flooding. Temperatures today will be warm in the valleys with highs mainly in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Most of the higher elevations will see highs in the 70s. Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected through the week with the highest chances on Wednesday and Thursday.

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 & 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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 16, 2022

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

Las Vegas/Mora - The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flash Flood Warning  for the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar for Mora County and San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE SAN MIGUEL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION  

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 15, 2022 FLOOD WATCH Las Vegas/Mora - The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flood Watch for the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar for Mora County and San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico. The following communities have been placed in Warning: Take Action Status Canoncito, Manuelita, and Sapaello, Gascon, Rociada, Lower Rociada, and Las Dispensas.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE SAN MIGUEL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION   

Acres: 341,735| Containment: 93% | Total personnel: 396|
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: Firefighters are communicating with private landowners to better serve their specific needs while continuing to scout for areas still in need of suppression repair. Information received through the Private Land Suppression Repair Survey (now available in both English and Spanish) has been critical to guiding this important repair work. In the coming days, the incident management team expects more resources to arrive to support fire suppression repairs.

Operations: A recent aerial infrared flight showed no detectable heat signatures in the fire area. In the Pot Creek corridor, firefighters are using grading equipment to improve existing roads that have been affected by fire suppression activities. North of the fire, crews are constructing water bars along roadways to help prevent erosion. In Cleveland, Holman, and Sierra Bonita, firefighters are repairing fences and chipping cut branches and limbs to reduce any evidence of fire suppression activities. Portions of handline were also repaired near Montezuma Castle, with firefighters developing strategies to repair additional dozer lines in this area. In Gallinas Canyon, crews are removing fallen trees from drainages to help restore the natural water flow and prevent debris from travelling downstream. A significant amount of cut logs and debris have been removed from all but one mile of the Hamilton Mesa Trail to help restore the wilderness character in this area. The remaining repair work within this portion of the Pecos Wilderness should be completed over the next few days. 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, hazard tree felling, 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 remain in place today, resulting in similar conditions to the past several days with a clear morning and partly cloudy afternoon. Scattered afternoon showers and storms are expected along with lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. High temperatures will be in the 80s at lower elevations with 70s elsewhere. Little change in the weather is expected through early next week with similar temperatures and storm chances. 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 & Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/ |New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center: 1-800-432-2080. Federal Disaster Assistance: For questions regarding damages from flooding or erosion, please contact the FEMA Helpline at 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/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak*| nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe National Forest | Carson National Forest
  *Beginning July 16, the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fire Facebook page will no longer be monitored. Please refer to the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/ for future updates.

   

 July 13, 2022 – Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire Update

Acres: 341,735| Containment: 93% | Total personnel: 323| 
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: Using the Private Land Suppression Repair Survey, residents have submitted requests for firefighter assistance on over 500 properties around the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire area. The incident management team is prioritizing suppression repair activities on these private lands to assist the local communities, with additional resources arriving over the next several days to support this mission. As suppression repair actions are completed, the incident management team notifies local landowners to confirm that their needs are met.

Operations: Despite recurring afternoon rains, firefighters have successfully completed suppression repairs in Christmas Tree Canyon. Crews continue to repair impacted fences and dozer lines, a specific type of fireline constructed by the front blade of a dozer, in the areas around Chacon and Sierra Bonita. Near Cleveland, firefighters are cleaning and repairing culverts to improve road conditions for future use. All suppression repair measures completed along the corridor between Pot Creek and Black Lake have remained stable, even with the wet conditions. In some places, over an inch of heavy rain forced crews to disengage from repair work in the afternoon. Crews are scouting for areas where additional repairs may be needed in the coming days. Excavators are moving into the area alongside Cañ de la Cueva to assist with dozer line repair. In areas where the terrain is too steep for heavy equipment, firefighters are completing repairs by hand. Near Elk Mountain Road, crews are locating and retrieving miscellaneous equipment, including pumps, hoses, and fuel cans.  

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, hazard tree felling, 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: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop late this morning and continue through the evening. Many of these slow moving storms will contain heavy rainfall which may result in flash flooding. Scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible through the weekend. Temperatures today through the weekend will not stray far from the normal values for this time of year.

After 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 & Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/ |New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center: 1-800-432-2080.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: 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/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak*| nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe National Forest | Carson National Forest

*Beginning July 16, the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fire Facebook page will no longer be monitored. Please refer to the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/ for future updates.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 12, 2022

FLOOD WATCH

Las Vegas/Mora - The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flood Watch for the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar for Mora County and San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE SAN MIGUEL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION