Single Publication

Forecast Calls for More Monsoon Rain

 Acres: 341,73
 Containment: 98%
 Total personnel: 472
 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: The monsoonal pattern has peaked but will remain active for the next couple weeks. Residents in Mora, San Miquel and Taos Counties should monitor current and forecasted weather for flash flood warnings due to increased risk of flooding in streams, creeks, and washes within the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon burn scar. Those who live downstream from burned areas should be aware that the potential for flooding and debris flows increases dramatically after a fire. Even after emergency actions are implemented to minimize the postfire risks, the burned area is still at risk for potential flooding and debris flows. For current road conditions visit nmroads.com and for current weather conditions visit weather.gov/abq. 
Operations: Once again weather has slowed progress on suppression repair activities. Crews along with heavy equipment continue to make progress on repairing fences, installing water bars, and working to clear blocked roadways on private and public lands. Repair of dozer lines across the fire is a slow process. Crews are making progress while trying to avoid causing additional damage on saturated soils. Fire officials would like to remind residents and visitors to slow down while driving on roads in and around the fire area and to obey all traffic warnings.
 
Closures and Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest has reduced the fire closure area opening additional access to the Pecos Wilderness. To view the new closure order and map visit  Santa Fe - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). Monsoon weather and completion of suppression repair activities play a part in the decision to lift closure orders and the safety of the public, firefighter, and incident support personnel is always our first priority.  
 
Weather: High pressure will weaken and allow more favorable monsoonal flow of moisture into the region. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, with a significant increase in storms possible Thursday and Friday. Daily showers and storms will increase the risk for flash flooding with the greatest risk from Tuesday afternoon through at least Thursday. The greatest risk will be from Tuesday afternoon through at least Thursday. Afternoon temperatures will be cooling with increased relative humidity. 
 
Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: 2022 Wildland Fires Resources Hotline | After Wildfire New Mexico Guide  |  Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response 

For questions or concerns related to flooding, please call the New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-432-2080. For federal disaster with fire or flood damage to your primary residence, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.  

Private Land Suppression Repair Survey (English and Spanish). Call 720-417-8048 for assistance in English, or 505-398-3889 for assistance in Spanish.  

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-356-2636 | Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov 
 
Online Fire Information Resources: Inciweb | Santa Fe National Forest Facebook | nmfireinfo.com |Santa Fe National Forest Twitter | YouTube | Santa Fe National Forest| Carson National Forest