Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
May 25, 2022, Daily Update, 8:00AM

Acres: 311,148 | Containment: 42% | Total personnel: 2,987Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022
Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Under investigation
Location: Located near Gallinas CanyonFuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

Highlights: There was no overnight infrared flight to update today’s acreage due to cloud cover but there was minimal fire growth yesterday. Firefighters continue to reinforce and mop up line to increase containment. While over 50% of the fire area received some precipitation, it was not enough to penetrate drought impacted duff layers and heavy fuels.  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:

West Zone (SWAIMT1): Work continued in the west zone of the fire yesterday constructing dozer line along the contingency line near Gallegos Peak and securing handline near Martinez Pond. Today, nine hotshot crews, aircraft and heavy equipment will be working along the rugged eight mile stretch from Angostura to “Thumb’s Thumb,” the spot fire on the northeast corner. Work will continue on contingency lines to the north as well. Firefighters continue to deepen containment lines in the 121 corridor near Chacon and continue with structure protection efforts there as well as along the NM Hwy 518 in Tres Ritos, Loma Linda and Las Mochas. Structure resources are also engaged in the Peñasco area. 

East Zone (CAIIMT2): Yesterday, fire crews continued clearing vegetation along the ridgeline (near Taos/Colfax County line) towards Angel Fire, creating a shaded fuel break. Fire suppression repair work was also initiated throughout the East Zone to help minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. Today it was reported that control lines are complete up and down the East Zone. Mop up activities continue along contingency lines being established below Black Lake and the 434 Rd. Dozer line is being constructed to the north of Angel Fire along the ridgeline.

South Zone (CAIIMT5): Yesterday’s cloud cover and higher relative humidity moderated fire behavior with little movement on the southwest and west perimeters. Good progress was made improving and constructing containment lines to slow the forward progress of the fire. Crews continue to clear and improve defensible space around structures in Pecos Valley. In the Pecos Wilderness, resource managers are working with firefighters to locate and construct containment lines

Evacuations: Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow:

San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/smcso.nm

Mora County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice

Taos County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163

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

Weather: Overall warmer and drier with mostly sunny skies. Daytime high temperatures will be in the upper 50s to upper 60s. Minimum relative humidity values will be in the 18-25% range. Winds will be out of the north-northwest, 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

Closures and Restrictions: Stage 3 forest-wide closures are in effect for the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, public access is prohibited and the restrictions and closure orders can be found on the Carson NF website and Santa Fe NF website. BLM New Mexico Fire Restrictions https://tinyurl.com/BLMNewMexico.

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

Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/ | https://www.facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak| nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |

Last Saturday, a Missoula Fire Department engine crew was checking the Gascon area of the Hermit’s Peak / Calf Creek Fire for residual heat, when they encountered something unexpected.

A young elk calf was alone in an area of severely burned forest. “She was lying quietly in a six-inch deep layer of white ash, surrounded by the blackened remains of fir trees”, says firefighter Nate Sink. The Missoula crew observed her for an hour, in hopes that her mother would return. Eventually, they approached, and finding no adult elk tracks nearby, they sought help for little “Cinder” down the road in Upper Rociada.

Fortunately, local ranchers Lisa and Carl Bartley knew just what to do.  Their family veterinarian, Dr. Bill Brainard, recommended rehydrating Cinder with a mix of condensed milk and water, until specially formulated milk could be obtained. “Our dog, Brylee, was intent on doing his best to mother little Cinder”, reminisces Lisa Bartley.

Local Fish and Game Officer Logan Eshem recommended that Cinder be entrusted to the care of Dr. Ramsey at the New Mexico Wildlife Center in Espanola, NM. The Bartleys loaded Cinder into their truck and met Dr. Ramsey in Las Vegas, NM.

Cinder is now safe at the Wildlife Center refuge. She has gotten the hang of bottle-feeding, and a surrogate-mother elk at the refuge has taken on the duties of cleaning and bestowing affection on the little orphan. Cinder will spend an estimated four months at the refuge, before becoming eligible for release into the wild.

Back in Rociada, Lisa Bartley (Sapello-Rociada Fire Department) and Carl Bartley (Bonito Fire Department Chief for 13 years) have been working hard to protect their home and community from the Calf-Canyon Fire. At times they’ve been joined by their daughter Jennifer, who flies a Bell 212 helicopter for Plumas Helitack, and their firefighter son-in-law, Cole. “The fire hit our ranch with a vengeance”, says Lisa Bartley, “We’ve had the honor of working closely with many firefighters who’ve come to help, and have made great friends. We appreciate all of their work so much!”

And Carl and Lisa would be glad to welcome the little elk, Cinder, back to Upper Rociada when she is healthy enough to be released.

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires

May 24, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 311,148 | Containment: 41% | Total personnel: 2957
Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 
Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Under investigation 
Location: Located near Gallinas Canyon
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

 Highlights: A slight reduction in acreage is due to better mapping and interpretation of infrared imagery. Weather has been favorable for aircraft to be utilized around the fire by cooling areas with intense heat and by aiding firefighters as they continue to make good progress on containment lines. 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/. 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:

West Zone (SWAIMT1): Aided by favorable weather, fire crews made excellent progress securing lines around the northwest corner of the fire yesterday. Hotshot crews continue to remove fuel and deepen containment lines along the northern edge of the fire near Martinez Pond, utilizing aircraft to cool areas of more intense heat. Work continues around structures in the HWY 121 corridor near Chacon. Structure protection resources are active along HWY 518 near Las Mochas, Rock Wall and Sipapu and in the 73 corridor and containment line reinforcement continues in anticipation of facing the test of critical fire weather this weekend.

East Zone (CAIIMT2): Yesterday, firefighters from the East and West Zone worked together to build containment line along the northern edge of the fire. Prep work continued around structures north and east of the fire perimeter, making those communities more defensible during a wildland fire incident. Today, fire crews will continue clearing vegetation along the ridgeline (near the Taos/Colfax County line) towards Angel Fire, creating a shaded fuel break. Fire suppression repair work has also begun on the East Zone, which works to minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. South Zone (CAIIMT5): The priority continues to be the southwest perimeter of the fire from Apache Canyon north to Bull Creek. Crews continue to improve containment lines along the 203 Road. Yesterday, gusty winds carried hot embers across the road, starting several small spot fires that were quickly extinguished. A flight over the Pecos Wilderness showed that the fire had not moved much westward. Crews will be shifted to the north once the southwest corner is secured. Evacuations: go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow: San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/smcso.nm Mora County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice Taos County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163 Colfax County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308  Weather: Colder temperatures will hold firm across the region, with highs struggling into the 50s. Some shower activity is expected during the day, with isolated thunderstorms still expected. Closures and Restrictions: Stage 3 forest-wide closures are in effect for the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, public access is prohibited and the restrictions and closure orders can be found on the Carson NF website and Santa Fe NF website. BLM New Mexico Fire Restrictions https://tinyurl.com/BLMNewMexico. 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 |

Evacuation Update for Santa Fe County 
NEWS RELEASE 
Santa Fe County Evacuation Update
CALF/CANYON/HEMITS PEAK FIRE
Santa Fe County , NM, May 23,2022- 
CURRENT SANTA FE COUNTY FIRE EVACUATION STATUS
 
Upper Dalton Canyon community is in GO STATUS.
 
There are currently no Santa Fe communities that are in SET STATUS. 

There are currently no Santa Fe County communities that are in READY STATUS. 

We want to remind all residents in Santa Fe County as evacuation levels change and your residence becomes deemed an area of evacuation, we encourage you to take immediate action. 

SANTA FE COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES
N.M. 63 is closed at mile post 7 (Monastery Lake). This includes road access to all residences in the Upper Dalton Canyon area of Santa Fe County. 

Link to Ready, Set, Go, Wildland Fire Action Guide: 

Evacuation Information 
Evacuations: Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map.
Follow the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office: www.facebook.com/people/Santa-Fe-County-Sheriff/

Evacuation Shelter Sites Information 
Santa Fe County Shelters: Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM. 
For current evacuation levels, go to the live interactive map: www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak

 OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2022 - 3:00 p.m.

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

MORA COUNTY - The following communities of Sierra Bonita and Holman West have been DOWNGRADED to SET STATUS. These communities will be allowed to repopulate as off 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The communities of Upper Morphy, Santiago Creek, South Carmen, Ledoux, Peñasco Blanco, Abuela, Puertecita, Rito Cebolla, and South Mora (East) have been DOWNGRADED to READY STATUS.

The communities of Golondrinas, Buena Vista, Watrous/Fort Union, North Mora (East), Guadalupita, South Mora (West) Lucero, Rainsville, El Turquillo, Los Cisneros, Ojo Feliz & Apache Lake, Los Hueros, Los LefebresOcate, Naranjos, Sierra Bonita, and West Holman are in SET STATUS.

The community of Chacon remains in GO Status. 

There are no additional changes to evacuation areas in San Miguel or Mora Counties.  See the Santa Fe County update on Inciweb for Santa Fe County information. 
 
Residents are advised to be cautions 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.


ROAD CLOSURES

Mora County: N.M. 518 is closed between mile posts 43 (Taos County Line) and 52 (Sipapu). N.M. 121 is closed between mile posts 0 and 8.
Link to Ready, Set Go, Wildland Fire Action Guide: https://cms6.revise.com/.../FINAL-new-mexico-RSG-guide...
www.tinyurl.com/hermitspeak 

 Evacuation Update from Taos County Sheriff 

For Immediate release 

May 23, 2022- 3:00 p.m.

Taos County Sheriff - Evacuation Update 

Taos County - Beginning Monday, 23, the following Ready- Set- Go changes will go into effect for Taos County. the communities of Penasco(including Picuris Pueblo), El Valle , Last Trampas, and Vallecito and will be downgraded from ready Status(Red) to No Status (Grey). The communities of 73 Corridor (N.M. 73) Vadito, Placita, and Rio Pueblo will be downgraded to Ready Status (Red). 
 
Fire crews established protection lines in and near Ripley's Peak on the western edge which prompted the evacuation and closure of the 73 Corridor (N.M.73). 
 
N.M. 518 road closure has been moved to Sipapu (mile post 52) and the Taos/Mora County line (milepost 42).
 
Respectfully,  
Jerry L. Hogrefe  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

EVACUATION UPDATE 

May 23, 2022 Effective immediately, the communities of East Angel Fire and West Angel Fire have been downgraded to "READY" status from "SET". The status for all other evacuation areas within Colfax County remain unchanged. 
 READY status: 
- Vietnam Memorial Area- Taos Pines- Village of Angel Fire  


SET status:   
- Black Lake  
- Black Lake Resort- Hidden Lake 


Residents should be aware that a high number of firefighters and apparatus, including heavy equipment, may be working in the area. Please drive slowly and exercise caution. 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. To ensure that you receive emergency alerts from the Colfax County Sheriff's Office, please subscribe to our Emergency Notification System at: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/6AF053DCB942 

Additionally, Public Service Announcements can be viewed at the Sheriff's web page at the following sites: http://www.co.colfax.nm.us/government/sheriff s department.php, https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064625351892&refsrc=deprecated& rdr, https://www.facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308, https://nmfireinfo.com/ 
 You can also call the Fire information Line: 505-356-2636.   

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires
May 23, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM

Acres: 311,166 
Containment: 40% 
Total personnel: 2,930 
Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 
Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Under investigation |
Location: Located near Gallinas Canyon
Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass

 

Highlights: Favorable weather aided firefighters in making good progress and there was minimal fire growth yesterday. Air resources provided support to firefighters on the ground while mild weather conditions persisted across the fire area. Direct line construction and structure protection remain the focus of firefighting activities. Local law enforcement agencies continue to evaluate evacuation status for repopulation as safety allows. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, and Colfax Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures.

Operations:

West Zone (SWAIMT1): Hot Shot crews and helicopters have been successful in preventing fire from becoming established and moving through heavy timber north of Martinez Pond. Five Hot Shot Crews will continue work in the rugged terrain south of NM HWY 518 to secure line and protect the communities along the highway corridor. These hand lines will connect into dozer line that extends west to prevent spread towards Peñasco and the HWY 73 Corridor. Firefighters continue to work the east side of the NM HWY 121 corridor as the fire backs toward the road. Alternate control lines are being constructed to maximize tactical flexibility and allow firefighters to pivot quickly to the course of action which promises the highest probability of success in rapidly changing weather conditions.

East Zone (CAIIMT2): Yesterday, firefighters worked to strengthen containment line on the northern tip of the fire, and continued mop-up and patrol on the fire’s eastern edge. Dozers cut along the ridgeline near the Taos/Colfax County line towards Angel Fire. Crews followed up and widened the contingency line by removing portions of vegetation surrounding it, creating what is known as a shaded fuel break. Today, fire crews from the East and West Zone will work together to build containment line along the northern edge of the fire. Contingency prep work continues in and around several communities north and east of the fire perimeter.

South Zone (CAIIMT5): The southwest perimeter of the fire continues to be the priority for the South Zone. Yesterday, favorable weather conditions allowed day shift crews to initiate a tactical firing operation along the 203 Road to remove unburned vegetation between the active fire front and the road. This action, which will be completed over the next couple of days, will help prevent the fire’s progress westward towards the Pecos Valley Corridor. Additional crews and engines have been moved to the Pecos Valley corridor to assist with completing containment lines and clearing vegetation around structures.

Evacuations: Go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow: San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/smcso.nm
 Mora County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice Taos County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163 Colfax County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/Colfax-County-Sheriffs-Office-New-Mexico-971817152850308  

Weather: Conditions will be warmer and drier during the daytime, with winds out of the west, shifting to northwest in the afternoon. A cold front will come through in the late evening, bringing a wind shift to the east-northeast direction, as well as cooler temperatures overnight. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values will be in the upper teens to low 20s.

Restrictions: Stage 3 forest-wide closures are in effect for the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, public access is prohibited and the restrictions and closure orders can be found on the Carson NF website and Santa Fe NF website. BLM New Mexico Fire Restrictions https://tinyurl.com/BLMNewMexico.

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/ | facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF |

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires

May 22, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00AM
 

Acres: 310,016| Containment: 40% | Total personnel: 2,899
Start Date: Hermits Peak: April 6, 2022; Calf Canyon: April 19, 2022 |
Cause: Hermits Peak: Spot fires from prescribed burn; Calf Canyon: Under investigation |
Location: Located near Gallinas Canyon  Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass 

Highlights: A decrease in acreage from what was reported last night is due to more accurate mapping after an overnight infrared flight. Cooler temperatures and reduced windspeeds allowed aircraft to operate throughout most of the shift yesterday while hand crews and heavy equipment continued to reinforce containment lines. Extraordinary firefighting efforts over the previous days have positioned crews to make substantial progress with the favorable incoming weather. Residents of San Miguel, Mora, Taos, and Colfax Counties should remain on high alert for changes to evacuation statuses and road closures. Stage 3 forest-wide closures for the Santa Fe and Carson National Forest are in effect.    
 

Operations:  

West Zone (SWAIMT1): Yesterday favorable weather allowed air resources to operate which aided firefighters in their progress by cooling areas of active heat in the west zone. Hand crews will tie into dozer line constructed near the spot fire northwest of Angostura to protect communities in the HWY 73 Corridor. Crews are constructing “cup trench” lines along the northern tip of the fire near Martinez Pond in steep terrain to catch material as it rolls downhill out of the fire. Fire continues to creep downhill toward the road in the 121 Corridor near Chacon. Implementation of structure protection continues in the communities of Chacon, Rock Wall, Sipapu, Las Mochas and others.  

East Zone (CAIIMT2): With cooler weather and calmer winds, firefighters were able to strengthen containment lines on the northern tip of the fire. A small slopover (the term for when fire crosses a containment line) occurred on the north end of the fire but was kept from spreading. Crews continued to patrol and mop up on the eastern edge of the fire by cooling hot spots to minimize potential spread. The east portion of the fire now has a large stretch of contained fireline, meaning further fire spread in those areas is not expected. Contingency prep work continued in the East Zone in and around several communities north and east of the fire perimeter. Today, work continues on the northern portion of the fire to strengthen containment lines that connect with the West Zone. Along the Taos/Colfax County line, dozers and handcrews will continue building contingency line, working north towards Angel Fire. Firefighters are also working with Philmont Ranch personnel, planning and implementing contingency line east of the fire near the Boy Scouts property. 

South Zone (CAIIMT5): Late Friday night a cold front brought gusty winds to the western perimeter of the fire increasing activity in Apache Canyon, Ruidoso Ridge and Bull Creek. Due to the increased fire behavior, the evacuation status in the Pecos Valley Corridor was upgraded from SET to GO in most areas. Firefighters had been briefed by the incident meteorologist on the changing weather and were ready for the increased fire activity. They were successful in holding the fire along the 203 road and no structures were damaged or destroyed. Today, the priority will continue to be strengthening firelines on the southwest corner and providing structure protection in the Pecos Valley Corridor. 

Evacuations: Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/HermitsPeak for the evacuation map and follow:  San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/smcso.nm  

Mora County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/moracountysheriffoffice  

Taos County Sheriff’s Office: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064642843163 

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

Weather: After a cold morning, temperatures will moderate throughout the day, with highs in the 60s. Humidities will remain above 25% throughout the day. Moderate winds from the south will be 10 to 15, with gusts to 20 in the afternoon for higher elevations and exposed locations.  

Restrictions: Carson National Forest, Camino Real Ranger District closure order and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/carson/alerts-notices Santa Fe National Forest Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District closure order and map: fs.usda.gov/detail/santafe/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3802009. BLM New Mexico Fire Restrictions https://tinyurl.com/BLMNewMexico.  
 

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/ | facebook.com/CalfCanyonHermitsPeak | nmfireinfo.com |tinyurl.com/HermitsYouTube | Santa Fe NF Website |