Forecast Calls for More Monsoon Rains

August 17, 2022 by SFNFPAO 0 Comments

August 17, 2022 – Calf Canyon Fire Update

Acres: 341,735| 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 – https://nmroads.com/ and for current weather conditions visit – www.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: 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, firefighter and public safety, and completion of suppression repair activities play a part in the decision to revise or lift closure orders.

Weather: Favorable monsoonal flow will continue across the region, keeping significant moisture in place today. The forecast is for numerous showers and thunderstorms beginning at 11 a.m.with expanding coverage by 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, storm coverage returns to a more isolated/scattered pattern with a lower risk of flash flooding.

Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources: 2022 Wildland Fires Resources Hotline: https://www.nmdhsem.org/2022- wildfires/| After Wildfire New Mexico Guide: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ | Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires Burned Area Emergency Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/

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): https://www.tinyurl.com/suppressionrepair. 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