FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 21, 2022 San Miguel/ Mora County News Release
Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire Flash Flood Warning

Las Vegas – The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flash Flood Warning for The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Burn Scar in Northwestern San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico until 5:00 PM MDT.

Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated moderate to locally heavy rain over the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Burn Scar. Between 0.25 and 0.45 inches of rain have fallen since 11 am in the Gallinas Creek and Tecolote Creek watersheds. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.25 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact the Gallinas Creek and Gallinas River drainage area including Porvenir Canyon, Arroyo Pecos, Agua Zarca and Vegosa Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Burn Scar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Burn Scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Las Vegas, El Porvenir, Montezuma, Storrie Lake State Park, Romeroville, Gallinas, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo, San Pablo and Ojitos Frios.

This includes the following highways State Road 283 between Mile Markers 1 and 12 and near Mile Marker 14. State Road 65 between Mile Markers 1 and 14. State Road 518 between Mile Markers 1 and 9. State Road 104 between Mile Markers 1 and 4. Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 339 and 352.

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 21, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM 

Acres: 341,471
Containment: 72% 
Total personnel: 1,913
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: Located near Gallinas Canyon
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass 

Highlights: The high probability of heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely lead to flash floods and debris flows in fire scarred areas, drainages, identified flood zones, and even normally dry washes. Roads, bridges, and culverts may be damaged or destroyed by major floods and debris flows. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch, please visit https://www.weather.gov/abq/ for current conditions. If confronted with an area of flooding be prepared to seek higher ground and to wait out the event.  Do not drive into a flooded roadway.  Stay tuned to local radio and television stations for updated emergency messaging. An interactive flood risk map is available at www.tinyurl.com/calfcanyonfloodmap.

North Zone (SWIMT1): What little active fire remains is limited to creeping and smoldering in heavy fuel types such as downed trees. Work continues to establish a contingency line such as the one located north of the western edge of the perimeter where there is still active fire and some hot spots smoldering in the Pecos drainage. These heavy fuels will continue to smolder and burn for some time, even with significant rains. Gravel has been added to soft spots in roads along the contingency line that travels from Pot Creek through Puertocito to the Luna Fire burn scar. Suppression repair continues across the zone.  Rapid response teams are staged in Mora and Taos to respond to new fire starts or flooding/debris flows.  Due to heavy rainfall forecast, many crews will be staged safely for strategic response if needed.

South Zone (SWIMT5): A fourth consecutive day of afternoon clouds and rain has reduced fire behavior on the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires. Isolated heat sources are expected to smolder and creep in the Pecos River, Rio Mora, and Bear Creek area. Forecasted precipitation will further reduce fire behavior. Air Support may be limited today due to weather conditions. Crews will continue to move heavy equipment to pavement or other hard surfaces as weather conditions allow. Two Task Forces have been established to assist the counties with potential debris removal on roads from flooding in impacted areas. Monsoon moisture is predicted over the fire area for the next several days. 

Evacuations: For updated evacuation information from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak. The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM. For disaster assistance resources, visit: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/. 

Weather: Rain should begin during the morning hours and persist much of the day, with short breaks from time to time. Widespread thunderstorms are not expected but rain rates could be moderate to locally heavy at times, Total rainfall accumulation will likely exceed one inch at higher elevations with locally higher amounts. Lower elevations are expected to receive one-half to one inch of precipitation. Persistent precipitation and cloud cover will result in temperatures 5 to 15 degrees cooler than Monday and minimum relative humidity values remaining over 50 percent.  

Closures and Restrictions: All National Forests in New Mexico have closures or restrictions in place due to extreme fire danger. To learn more about these closures and restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdy5y99r. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 

After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: After Wildfire New Mexico guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits  Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area Emergency Response information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair
 
Smoke:  An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak| nmfireinfo.com |www.tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |  

 

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 20, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM 

Acres: 341,471
Containment: 72% 
Total personnel: 2,519 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: Located near Gallinas Canyon 
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

Highlights: Monsoonal moisture continues to move across the fire area, moderating fire activity but posing the risk of flash floods and debris flow in areas that have been destabilized by fire activity. An interactive flood risk map can be found at www.tinyurl.com/calfcanyonfloodmap. Debris flows are different from normal flash floods due to the amount of rock, ash, and other debris loosened within recent fire scars. Several areas within the fire perimeter are at high risk for flash flooding and debris flow. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for weather and flood alerts.  
 
Operations: 
 
North Zone (SWIMT1): Today’s forecast calls for continued rain over the fire area.  With the moisture, the team will evaluate the ability to continue contingency line and suppression repair activities in a safe manner and conduct actions when appropriate.  As smoldering and creeping fire will persist, especially in the large heavy fuels, the rapid response task force remains in place ready to respond to potential initial attack or in the event of a flash flood/debris flow.  

South Zone (SWIMT5): Fire behavior was minimal yesterday due to higher humidity and rain in the area, and no changes are expected today as larger logs and dead standing trees continue to smolder. Operations will continue to be limited as moisture is expected throughout the week. Crews will be moving heavy equipment into areas to stage or release depending on the needs for the fire. Some equipment may remain in place to prevent damage to wet roads. The team continues to monitor changing weather conditions and plan for what may come next. Residents in San Miguel County can sign up for text message notifications by texting SMCNOTIFY to 67283 for evacuation and other important information.  

Evacuations: For updated evacuation information from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak. The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM. For disaster assistance resources, visit: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/. 
 
Weather: Fire weather conditions will remain moderated but minimum relative humidity values will be about 10 to 15 percent lower than yesterday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop by late morning and continue through the afternoon and evening hours. Precipitation will be widely scattered and not all areas will receive wetting rain.  

Closures and Restrictions: All National Forests in New Mexico have closures or restrictions in place due to extreme fire danger. To learn more about these closures and restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdy5y99r. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 

After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Interactive flood and debris flow map: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak After Wildfire New Mexico guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area Emergency Response information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: Land owners within the fire area can complete this survey for assistance with suppression repair on their property: https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov 
Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com | www.tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
June 20, 2022 San Miguel/ Mora County News Release
Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire: Flood Watch
 
Las Vegas/ Mora – The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued Flood Watch for The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon burn scar for Mora County and San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico.
 
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Flash Flooding on burn scar areas for the Hermit`s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire perimeter.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, northeast, and west central New Mexico, including the following areas, in central New Mexico, Central Highlands, Estancia Valley, Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro Area and Sandia and Manzano Mountains including Edgewood. In east centralNew Mexico, Guadalupe County. In north central New Mexico, East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Espanola Valley, Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass, Jemez Mountains, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe Metro Area, Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Tusas Mountains Including Chama and Upper Rio GrandeValley. In northeast New Mexico, Eastern San Miguel County, Far Northeast Highlands, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass and Northeast Highlands. In west central New Mexico, West Central Highlands and West Central Mountains.

* WHEN...From Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

 Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 19, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM

Acres: 341,424
Containment: 72%
Total personnel: 2,409 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: Located near Gallinas Canyon | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass  

Highlights: Lower temperatures, higher humidity, and precipitation on some parts of the fire have moderated fire behavior. Crews continue to monitor for heat and reposition in preparation for expected rain across the fire area. The risk of flash floods and debris flows will continue to increase over the next few days. The public is urged to remain alert and aware for warnings issued for their communities.  

Operations: 

North Zone (SWIMT1): The team is adjusting tactics and staffing throughout the zone to appropriately respond to current fire conditions. Crews will continue to monitor for areas of heat. Suppression repair crews continue to make good progress in the northeast and eastern areas of the zone, but work has slowed due to the threat of debris flows, rain, and lightning. Current conditions across the zone will remain moist, with smoldering and creeping fire behavior. The flash flood/debris flow threat is of great concern and will increase over the next several days. Early Saturday morning, two new fires were detected on the northeast side of Picuris Peak near Forest Road 114. Helicopter and engine crews responded and suppressed both fires quickly. All fire evacuation levels for Mora and Taos Counties have been removed. 

South Zone (SWIMT5): Fire behavior remained light yesterday due to higher humidity and increased cloud cover. Helicopters dropped 28,500 gallons of water yesterday to cool down hot spots along the western uncontained area. Chances for wetting rain will increase throughout today, with the potential for flash flooding. Because of the increased rain and thunderstorms, air operations may be limited. They will continue to drop water until the rain or thunderstorms causes them to be grounded. Crews will be prepared to move equipment from El Barro Peaks and Barillas Peak in advance of predicted weather. Existing road closures and evacuation levels remain in the fire area.  

Evacuations: For updated evacuation information from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak. The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM. For disaster assistance resources, visit: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/.   

Weather: Monsoonal moisture will remain in place over the region. The trough currently over southern California will move eastward bringing increased chance of showers and thunderstorms. Once again, locally heavy rain will be possible with the stronger storms along with gusty winds and lightning. High relative humidity and cloud cover will continue to moderate fire weather concerns. 

Closures and Restrictions: All National Forests in New Mexico have closures or restrictions in place due to extreme fire danger. To learn more about these closures and restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdy5y99r. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 
 
After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Interactive flood and debris flow map: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak After Wildfire New Mexico guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area  Emergency Response information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: Landowners within the fire area can complete this survey for assistance with suppression repair on their property: https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov
Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com | tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 
June 18, 2022 Taos County Sheriff - Evacuation Update
 
TAOS COUNTY – As of Saturday, June 18th at 6:00 p.m., the following Ready-Set-Go changes will go into effect for Taos County. The community of 73 Corridor (Llano, Rodarte, Llano Largo) will be downgraded and removed from fire evacuation status.
 
Please be advised that Wildland Fire Modules will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter along the western edge from Ripley Peak south to Serpent Lake. Also in the west, dozers and heavy equipment are making good progress improving roads and control lines.
 
Residents of Taos and Mora Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

June 18, 2022 San Miguel/ Mora County News Release
Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire: Evacuation Updates
 
MORA COUNTY - The community of Homan West has been removed from fire evacuation status.
 
Current Evacuation Statuses: There are currently no communities in GO STATUS.
There are currently no communities in SET STATUS.
There are currently no communities in READY STATUS.

ROAD CLOSURES
MORA COUNTY: There are currently no road closures in Mora County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2022 San Miguel/ Mora County
News Release Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire Flash Flood Warning
 
MORA – The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Luna Burn Scar in North Central Mora County in northeastern New Mexico until 4:30 PM MDT. Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Luna Burn Scar. Between 0.25 and 0.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact Forest Roads 76, 153 and 438, East Fork Luna Creek, Rio de La Olla, and the Mora River along State Road 121 to Chacon and south towards Holman. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Luna Burn Scar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Luna Burn Scar. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Chacon. This includes the following highways State Road 121 between Mile Markers 5 and 8.Please stay up to date by listening to local radio and television for further information. Local officials may call for evacuations in specific areas with the greatest risk.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2022 San Miguel/ Mora County 
News Release Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire Sandbag Distribution Sites

Las Vegas – San Miguel County has established a Sandbag Distribution Site for The Village of Pecos and its surrounding communities. This new distribution site is located at the Pecos Village Hall, located at 92 South Main St, in Pecos.
 
The following Sandbag Distribution Sites are still in operations:
• Cabo Lucero Volunteer Fire Department - 21 County Rd A29
• Sapello-Rociada Volunteer Fire Department - 649 State Route 94 (N.M. 94)
• La Placita Volunteer Fire Department - 242 State Route 65 (N.M. 65)
• San Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department - County Road A19A (CR A19A)
• San Miguel County Public Works - 10 Airport Road
 
Sandbags is a simple, but effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. Properly filled and placed sandbags can act as a barrier to divert moving water around, instead of through, buildings. Sandbag construction does not guarantee a water-tight seal but is satisfactory for use in most situations. Sandbags are also used successfully to prevent overtopping of streams with levees, and for training current flows to specific areas.

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 18, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM 

Acres: 341,314
Containment: 72%
Total personnel: 2,442 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: Located near Gallinas Canyon
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass  

Highlights: Fire activity is diminishing due to higher humidity, lower temperatures, and wetting rain in some areas, but smoldering will continue in the Hamilton Mesa area on the west side of the fire, as well as other areas where heavy fuels are being slowly consumed. Although wetting rain has immediate moderating effects on light fuels, larger logs can take much longer to absorb moisture and will continue to produce smoke until a season ending event. Many fire evacuations have been removed or reduced. Please continue to monitor weather and flood warnings for potentially catastrophic debris flows and flooding and be prepared to evacuate or move to higher ground on short notice (see links below). 
 
Operations: 
 
North Zone (SWIMT1): Wildland Fire Modules will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter along the western edge from Ripley Peak south to Serpent Lake. Also in the west, dozers and heavy equipment are making good progress improving roads and control lines. In the north, work continues in the Pot Creek corridor, where road work is expected to be complete in 3-4 days. The three Suppression Repair groups are showing rapid progress and continue to operate in Chacon, Sierra Bonita, and south of Mora. Those groups, along with the Rapid Response Task Force based in Taos, continue to be prepared to respond to debris flow and flooding, with specialized tools and training.  

South Zone (SWIMT5): Recent weather changes reduced fire activity after several extreme days. With the push of south-southeast winds came good cloud coverage, higher humidity, and light rain throughout the Pecos River drainage area. Today will see similar weather conditions, with strong cloud cover and possible showers building through the afternoon. The dead and down timber takes time to soak in moisture, so smoldering trees and downed logs still have the potential to become active again. Crews will continue chipping and suppression repair operations throughout the Barillas Peak and Skyline Trail area. Firefighters continue to improve handlines and remove a variety of fuel types along Hamilton Mesa Trail. Helicopters dropped 14,000 gallons of water yesterday and will continue water drops along the Pecos River area today. Operations has identified suppression equipment available to support local cooperators if a flash flood should occur. There are no changes to road closures or evacuation orders in the fire area. 

Evacuations: For updated evacuation information from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak. The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM. For disaster assistance resources, visit: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022-wildfires/.  

Weather: The thunderstorm threat trends down a bit Saturday as the main monsoonal moisture axis moves slightly to the west. Isolated storms are still possible, and they are expected to remain wet in nature with higher chances in the vicinity of the Midnight Fire. Relative humidity recoveries will remain excellent with a slight trend down in minimum relative humidity values but still in the 20 to 30% range. Winds remain out of the south with max gusts remaining in the 25-mph range during the afternoon hours. 

Closures and Restrictions: All National Forests in New Mexico have closures or restrictions in place due to extreme fire danger. To learn more about these closures and restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdy5y99r. Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://nmfireinfo.com/fire-restrictions/. 

After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: Interactive flood and debris flow map: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak After Wildfire New Mexico guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area Emergency Response information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

Suppression Repair Property Survey: Landowners within the fire area can complete this survey for assistance with suppression repair on their property: https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair 

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov 
Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com | tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |