Single Publication

April 11, 2022 Daily Update

Acres: 728 acres

Start Date:  April 6, 2022

Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary

Containment: 10%

Total personnel: 178

Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness

Fuels: Mixed conifer

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Aaron Hulburd, assumed command of the Hermits Peak Fire at 6:00 AM this morning, Monday, April 11, 2022. The Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to implement a full suppression strategy for the Hermits Peak Fire. A virtual community meeting will be livestreamed tonight at 8:00 PM at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/. Viewers are encouraged to submit their questions in advance to 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov.

Operations: As the Type 2 team takes command of the fire suppression efforts, firefighters will develop strategies to fully contain the fire while protecting the many valuable resources in the area, including multiple watersheds and nearby communities. Firefighters will be challenged by steep terrain and limited access, along with predicted high winds and dry conditions. A Red Flag Warning has been issued from noon until 9:00 PM today along with a High Wind Warning, potentially hampering the use of aircraft. Additional resources including engines, crews, and dozers have been ordered to assist with suppression efforts on all sides of the fire. Crews have been successful in limiting fire spread to the south and southwest to ensure protection for Beaver Creek and the Gallinas Municipal Watershed. Firefighters are working to identify containment options along existing roads on the eastern edge of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) boundary and further north of the fire.

Evacuations: The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office issued a voluntary evacuation for the communities of San Ignacio, Las Dispensas and Pendaries on Sunday, April 10. Residents are encouraged to be prepared and stay alert to changing fire conditions.

Weather: Highly erratic gusty winds will continue today with a few sprinkles from scattered showers. Winds are expected to turn back to the southeast Monday morning before shifting back to the west then southwest through the afternoon. Gusts up to 40 miles per hour are possible. Strong winds are expected to continue through Monday night followed by high winds again on Tuesday, bringing more critical fire weather.

Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Hermits Peak Fire. The full closure order and map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: www.nifc.gov/drones.  

Smoke: Smoke from the Hermits Peak Fire may be visible from Gallinas, El Porvenir, San Pablo, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo, Gascon, Pendaries, Rociada, Mora, Ledoux, Las Vegas, and along the I-25 corridor. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. More information on air quality and protecting your health can be found at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website: https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.

Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov •  Phone: (505) 663-6334 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM