Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires

June 2, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM

Acres: 316,353 | Containment: 54% | Total personnel: 2,892 |
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 potential for moisture and thunderstorms continues today and Friday. While conditions are more favorable for firefighting, there is the potential for lightning that could cause new starts. Outflow winds could also affect fire behavior. Initial attack crews will be ready to address new fires if they occur. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE - COLFAX COUNTY EVACUATION UPDATE June 1, 2022 
 
Effective immediately, the communities of Hidden Lake, Black Lake Resort, Black Lake, Village of Angel Fire, Taos Pines, and Vietnam Memorial Area have been downgraded to normal status from "Ready". 

Favorable weather conditions, combined with excellent suppression efforts have allowed for the repopulation of our communities. The Colfax County Sheriff's Office in consultation with the Colfax County Emergency Management, and with Pacific Northwest Team 2 sincerely thank the impacted communities for your patience as the firefighting efforts have progressed. 
 
While there is no immediate threat to Colfax County, residents should always be prepared for unexpected events, including wildland fires. For information on how to best prepare, you can visit www.ready.gov. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2022 – 3:00 p.m. Taos County Sheriff - Evacuation Update

TAOS COUNTY – As of Wednesday, June 1st at 3 p.m., the following Ready-Set-Go changes will go into effect for Taos County.

The community of Angostura will be downgraded from Set Status (Yellow) to Ready Status (Red).

Taos Canyon have been downgraded from Ready Status (Red) to Planning Status (Grey).

The communities in the 73 Corridor, Vadito, Placita, Rio Pueblo, Rock Wall, Las Mochas, and Sipapu remain in Ready Status (Red).

Please be advised that burnout operations are underway which will produce visible smoke on the southern and southwestern part of the fire. Residents are advised to be cautious during repopulation as fire personnel and fire apparatuses are still present along N.M. 518. For additional information, you can call the Fire Information Line at (505) 356-2636. Residents of Taos and Mora Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2022 - 3:00 p.m. San Miguel/ Mora County News Release Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire Evacuation Updates

MORA COUNTY - The communities of Sierra Bonita and Chacon have been DOWNGRADED to READY STATUS, effective immediately.

The communities of Los Hueros, Los Lefebres, Ocate, Naranjos, Ojo Feliz & Apache Lake, Golondrinas, and Watrous/Fort Union have been downgraded to the planning status, effective immediately. There are currently no communities in GO STATUS.

There are currently no communities in SET STATUS.

The communities of Upper Morphy, Santiago Creek, South Carmen, Ledoux, Penasco Blanco, Abuelo, Puertocito, Rito Cebolla, South Mora (East), Upper Rociada, Holman West, South Mora (West), North Mora (West), North Mora (East), El Turquillo, Los Cisneros, Lucero, Rainsville, Guadalupita, Buena Vista, Sierra Bonita, and Chacon are in READY STATUS.

Residents are advised to be cautious during repopulation as fire personnel and fire apparatuses are still present. For additional information, you can call the Fire Information Line at (505) 356-2636. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax, and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

ROAD CLOSURES Mora County: There are currently no road closures in Mora County. Link to Ready, Set Go, Wildland Fire Action Guide: https://cms6.revize.com/revize/sanmiguelcounty/FINAL-new-mexico-RSG-guide-2017_000.pdf

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
June 1, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 315,830 | Containment: 54% | Total personnel: 3,080 |
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: Improved weather conditions over the next several days could bring some moisture and an opportunity for firefighters to make additional progress on extinguishing heat near the fire’s edge. However, the potential for afternoon thunderstorms could cause new fire starts. Initial attack crews will be ready to address new fires should they occur. Yesterday fixed wing aircraft and helicopters were able to fly all day and should be up again today as the weather permits. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

Operations:

North Zone (PNW2): Structure protection engines remained focused on the NM Highway 518 corridor as well as the NM Highway 121 corridor from Chacon to Cleveland yesterday, patrolling and mopping up the fire perimeter. Despite strong southerly winds, crews continued to work the hot spot inside the fireline above Chacon that flared up on Monday, and the containment line in that area remains secure. Multiple hotshot crews focused their attention on holding and securing the northwest flank of the fire between Angostura and Ripley Point, and south to Serpent Lake yesterday in preparation for today’s wind shift. Additional crews moved into the area near Las Mochas yesterday to inspect and reinforce contingency firelines northwest of the fire perimeter. As a cold front moves in today, it will bring more moderate wind, higher relative humidity and a potential for moisture. This will give heavy equipment an opportunity to begin chipping slash along the NM Highway 442 corridor. This chipping operation will take approximately three days to complete and will be implemented in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Transportation which will assist in traffic control measures. With more moderate weather conditions, heavy equipment, engines and crews will resume constructing additional contingency lines north of the fire area from approximately Rio Pueblo east to Bristlecone.

South Zone (SWIMT2): Suppression repair crews are working down the east side of the fire and Gallinas Canyon to close dozer lines, reseed disturbed areas, and chip downed slash. Repair work will continue on the south and over to Barillas Peak over the next several days where suppression activities occurred. The fire is most active in the Pecos Wilderness around Bear Creek and in the Trampas Fire burn scar. Helicopters and scooper planes have been dropping water to slow fire progression so crews can get in handline from the Iron Gate Campground to Beatty’s Camp. A mule pack string is being used to haul food and supplies to support approximately 250 firefighters working in the wilderness. With cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and lighter winds, the fire progression in this area will be driven by available fuels rather than weather for the next several days.

Evacuations: Go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow:

San Miguel County Sheriff  facebook.com/smcso.nm

Mora County Sheriff  facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice

Taos County Sheriff  facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163

Colfax County Sheriff  facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308

Santa Fe County Sheriff https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064737934118

The Ready, Set, Go evacuation guide is available in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/RSGNM

Weather:  Southeasterly winds in the early morning today will change to south winds in the afternoon. Wind speeds will be 10-15 mph, gusting 20-25 mph. Minimum relative humidity will be approximately 17-23%. Daytime temperatures will be in the upper 60s-70s. Isolated thunderstorms are possible late Wednesday into Wednesday night.

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/.

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

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires

May 31, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 315,627 | Containment: 50% | Total personnel: 3,065

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 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2022 @ 11:00 a.m. San Miguel/ Mora County News Release
Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire Evacuation Updates
 
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY - The communities of Upper and Lower Colonias and Lower La Posada have been DOWNGRADED to SET STATUS.
Camino Rincon and Rivera Ridge (East of CR B52), Pecos Southwest (East of CR 53/ Rincon del Cielo), Pecos Southeast, East Pecos North, East Pecos South, Pecos National Monument have been DOWNGRADED to READY STATUS

Current Evacuation Statuses: The communities of Bull Canyon, Cow Creek, Holy Ghost, Tres Lagunas, El Macho, and Calf Canyon are in GO STATUS.
The communities of Upper and Lower Colonias and Lower La Posada are in SET STATUS.

The communities of Camp Luna, Cinder Road, Crestone, NMBHI, Romeroville East, and, Romeroville West, Taylor Wells, D Bibb West, D Bibb East, Gunner Trail, Hot Springs, Country Acres, Storrie Lake, 527-525- Hwy 518, Emplazado, County A3, Las Dispensas, Trout Springs, Gallinas, Lower Canyon Road, La Canada, E Las Tusas, W Las Tusas, E Sapello, W Sapello, Manuelitas, Canoncito, Tierra Monte – Canon, Big Pine, Canovas Canyon, El Porvenir, Porvenir Canyon, Chavez, Pendaries Valley East, Pendaries Village, Rociada, Lone Pine Mesa, San Ignacio, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo, Ojitos Frios, San Pablo, and Camino Rincon and Rivera Ridge (East of CR B52), Pecos Southwest (East of CR 53/ Rincon del Cielo), Pecos Southeast, East Pecos North, East Pecos South, and Pecos National Monument are in READY STATUS.

Residents are advised to be cautious during repopulation as fire personnel and fire apparatuses are still present. For additional information, you can call the Fire Information Line at (505) 356-2636. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax, and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

ROAD CLOSURES San Miguel County:N.M. 65 is closed at mile post 15. N.M. 223 is closed at mile post 2, CR B44A is accessible (Upper/ Lower Colonias); CR B64 is restricted (Cow Creek). N.M. 63 is closed at mile post 11.5 (Dalton Parking Area)
 
Link to Ready, Set Go, Wildland Fire Action Guide

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
May 30, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 315,223 | Containment: 50% | Total personnel: 2,989
Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 au
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: In collaboration with Santa Fe National Forest, fire managers will reduce the frequency of Community Meetings for the incident beginning today. Community Meetings will now be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This change is a direct result of the positive progress firefighters have made in containing this fire and limiting fire growth. Daily operational updates will still be available on social media and will be posted at various locations around the fire.

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
May 29, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 314,750 | Containment: 50% | Total personnel: 3,001
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: A Red Flag Warning remains in effect today for critical fire weather, including low relative humidity and winds gusting up to 50 mph. This could increase fire behavior across the fire area and produce a visible smoke column. Firefighters continue to hold and patrol lines across the fire to prevent escape and defend structures in areas with active heat. Please use caution when traveling through the fire area this weekend as there will be heavy fire traffic in addition to visitors for the holiday. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, Colfax and Santa Fe Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

San Miguel/ Mora County News Release Calf Canyon/ Hermits Peak Fire

  SAN MIGUEL COUNTY - As the community continues to navigate through the biggest disaster in state history, response must be continually evaluated to determine effectiveness, quality and equity. As some communities in San Miguel County continue to deal with fire response, others are dealing with recovery. All while planning and implementing flood mitigation and response efforts.   The county of San Miguel in coordination with the Governor’s Office would like to address some adjustments to sheltering of residents who have been directly impacted by the wildfire. The shelter located at Old Memorial Middle school will be transitioning to a location more suitable/comfortable for those displaced by the wildfire until they can receive housing accommodations from Red Cross or FEMA. Along with this location transition, which shall occur early next week, the American Red Cross will continue management of sheltering and the Salvation Army will operate all commodity distribution which will continue to occur at Old Memorial Middle School. All recovery assistance resources to include FEMA, Red Cross, HELP NM, Workforce Solutions, etc.… will also continue to be available at Old Memorial Middle School. San Miguel County is extremely grateful and proud of all volunteers who have provided support and continue to provide support to their community in this time of need. As recovery efforts are underway, and as state and federal support continues to become more available, please keep in mind your county officials are working collectively to ensure the residents of San Miguel County continue to receive the resources needed to get through this crisis.   San Miguel County continues to manage disaster response for all residents and businesses impacted by this event and will continue direct recovery measures throughout all communities. Please continue to follow your counties social media and local radio stations for information pertaining to all activities that will be ongoing.  

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