New lightning-caused wildfire on Santa Fe National Forest

SANTA FE, NM, Aug. 6, 2023 – Firefighters are responding to a wildfire about 44 miles northwest of Santa Fe in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness of the Coyote Ranger District. It’s called the Black Feather Fire and is estimated at 1,500 acres. The lightning-caused fire started Saturday, Aug. 5, and is being managed with a full suppression response.

Numerous aircraft are assigned to the incident including five large air tankers (LATs), one very large air tanker (VLAT), helicopters, air attack, and a lead plane.  In addition, several hotshot crews have been ordered.

Due to the fast-growing wildfire, some areas have been placed in SET status to be prepared to evacuate if necessary. There will be an evacuation center established at the Coyote Senior Center. The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating evacuations. More info is available on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079688263048

Fire behavior is very active this afternoon and a large smoke column is visible across Northern New Mexico. With hot, dry, windy weather in the forecast, fire managers are expecting similar behavior over the next several days. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

This is an emerging incident, and more information will be provided as it becomes available. Please check the Santa Fe National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/santafe, Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/ and NMfireinfo: NM Fire Info | New Mexico Fire Information.