Single Publication

San Miguel /Mora County News Release

Calf Canyon Current Fire Evacuations

April 24, 2022 at 1:00 pm

     Media Contacts:         Joy Ansley    505-239-3973, jansley@co.sanmiguel.nm.us  

    Jesus Romero    505-617-8023, jmromero@co.sanmiguel.nm.us

Las Vegas, NM 1:00 pm. Today the total combined acreage for Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires is 54,004 acres. Reduced temperatures and wind speeds today will allow firefighters to make more progress. It is still imperative that residents comply with evacuation orders as citizen, fire fighter and law enforcement safety is the highest priority.

Community Evacuation Status in San Miguel and Mora Counties:

GO (mandatory full evacuation, colored green): In San Miguel County, Big Pine, Canovas Canyon, Porvenir Canyon, El Porvenir, Lower Canyon Road, Gallinas, Trout Springs, San Ignacio, Lone Pine Mesa, Chavez, Canoncito, Pendaries Village, Pendaries Valley East, Rociada, Upper Rociada and Tierra Monte Canon, La Canada, Las Tusas and Manuelitas are all still in GO status. 

In Mora County, Penasco Blanco, South Carmen, Rito Cebolla, Ledoux, Upper Morphy, Santiago Creek, Abuelo, Puertocito and Buena Vista are all still in GO status, as well as Zone 1, as identified on the map, which includes Mora, La Cueva, El Alto, Rainsville and Guadalupita. Zone 2, as identified on the map, is in GO status as of 7:00 Sunday morning.

SET (prepare for evacuation, colored yellow): In Mora County, Watrous and Valmora are currently in SET status

READY (get ready for possible evacuation, colored red): In San Miguel, the communities of Las Dispensas, County Road A3 and Los Alamitos remain in READY status.

San Miguel & Mora County Sheriff’s Departments and local law enforcement, along with the Incident Management Team will continue to perform re-assessments of these evacuation levels as the fire progresses. As we continue to work, please stay vigilant and adhere to instructions from press releases, law enforcement and fire personnel. The evacuation map is attached. This emerging situation remains extremely serious and refusal to evacuate could be a fatal decision. 

Please remember that drones are still prohibited in the temporary flight restriction zone, outlined on the map. The evacuation/flight zone map is attached. If drones enter the flight zone, firefighting aircraft are grounded.

Road Closures: In San Miguel County, State Road 65 at the Montezuma Pond, and CR A27 will be closed.  CR A3 and CR A4A will be closed. County Road A3A remains open to fire personnel and residents only. State Roads 105, 94, 266 and 276 will be closed. State Road 518 at the 94 is closed northbound. Road blocks will be in effect. Road closures in Mora County include State Road 161 at 518, State Road 442 at 518 and State Road 94 at 518.  State Road 518 is closed from La Cueva to Sapello. Mora residents are only able to evacuate on 434 to Angel Fire or 518 to Taos. County Road A011 is closed at 518. Routes to Las Vegas or I-25 aren’t accessible.

Power Outages: Power has been shut down in all evacuated areas. Lines will be re-energized when conditions are safe for fire personnel and law enforcement.

LIVESTOCK OWNERS: If you have livestock within the evacuation zone, contact NM State Police Dispatch at 505-425-6771 to coordinate a safe escort to your property to feed your animals. Do not enter the evacuation area un-escorted.

If you are currently evacuated and need to have prescriptions refilled, a Red Cross nurse at the evacuation shelter can assist you. Please go to the shelter and speak to the nurse there.

Property Losses: We understand that residents are anxious to discover losses and saves; however, fire areas are still too dangerous to access for property and residence assessments.  Crews are hoping that the areas will be accessible within the next few days. We know many residents are devastated by these potential losses, but please be patient and we’ll have information as soon as humanly possible.

County Fire Restrictions: All open burning (burning of crop land, fields, range land, debris, burning slash piles, prescribed burning or weed burning) in San Miguel County, shall be banned throughout the unincorporated areas of the County, and the provisions of SMC Ordinance 03-9-99ORD are in effect.  This ban shall prohibit any person from having, causing, starting, igniting and/or using open flame outside of a building, structure, automobile or other enclosed area anywhere, throughout the unincorporated portions of San Miguel County.

Shelter sites:

      San Miguel County: Old Memorial Middle School gym, Legion St. Las Vegas, 505-429-0336

      Mora County: Penasco High School gym, 13 Old School Road- Melissa Sandoval- 575-779-3057  

                Taos County Agricultural Center- 202 Chamisa Rd., Can accept small household pets

                Taos Youth and Family Center 407 Paseo del Canon

Shelter site for horses and livestock: The Zamora arena continues to be utilized to temporarily house evacuated horses and livestock.  The contact for livestock and horses is Matthew Romero, Livestock Inspector, 575-643-6805.

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

https://cms6.revize.com/revize/sanmiguelcounty/FINAL-new-mexico-RSG-guide-2017_000.pdf

Updates will be posted on San Miguel County OEM, Sheriff and Fire Facebook pages.