NEW MEXICO — There are several large wildfires burning in the State of New Mexico and we are gleaning information from multiple sources, to bring you a single post on what is happening and back to providing you with an update.
Note: Thanks for hanging in there with us as we are slowly returning back to fire news coverage while we were moving our home base from one County to another in Washington State. We are back! – Ed.
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UPDATE 1
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
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BLACK FIRE | 24 miles north of Mimbres
The Black Fire was discovered on Saturday, May 14, when it was initially a 150-acre fire burning in the Gila National Forest.
It is located north of Black Canyon, about 24 miles north of Mimbres, and 31 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences.
The start date was determined to have started on Friday, May 13th.
Community In-Person Meeting
June 9, 2022, 1800 hours
Black Range Lodge. 50 Main Street, Kingston, New Mexico
There is currently 905 total personnel along with 25 crews, 23 engines, and eight copters from New Mexico, Washington State, and additional fire agencies across the nation.
A new fire camp is in the process of being established to the east of Hillsboro. Fire camps in Winston and Kingston are on the closure list. This is to enable firefighters to have a shorter traveling distance and allow for safer conditions for them to work.
Fire Management is under the helm of Lance Elmore, SWA IMT Team 3.
Fire behavior still remains active with wind-driven runs, uphill runs, and flanking. The fire has destroyed 297,418 acres of timber and tall grass. Today, firefighters have reached a 46% containment status.
Two structures have been reported as lost, with more still under a direct threat which has prompted evacuations and road/trail closures in the area.
Fire suppression and containment costs have reached a total of $32.4 Million and continue to rise as time goes by.
Roadway Closures include NM Hwy 59 from Forest Road 150 to NM Hwy 52 between the hours of 0800 to 1800 hours to enable safe travels for firefighters and equipment traveling along the roadways. Hwy 59 will be open between the hours of 1800 to 0800 hours.
A Temporary Flight Restriction or TFR is in effect, meaning NO DRONES IN FIRE ZONES. If you fly, they can’t. This is a danger to anyone working on the ground to the air.
This is a human-caused fire that is under investigation.
HERMITS PEAK FIRE | 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas
The Hermits Peak Fire ignited on April 6, 2022, from a prescribed (RX) fire that escaped its containment lines after unexpected erratic winds picked up embers and created a large number of multiple spot fires.
The fire burned about 318,172 acres of hardwood litter, timber, and light slash.
his has been very significant and dangerous for all involved, including residents, firefighters, overhead team, out-of-the-area personnel, impacted communities, and businesses.
About 880 structures have been lost and a total cost-to-date of $195.6 million dollars for fire suppression and containment efforts so far. This has been a very expensive fire for the USFS.
Both the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire incidents are currently under the recovery phase which includes fire suppression repair, and Emergency Stabilization Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER).
CERRO PELADO FIRE | 7 miles east of Jemez Springs
The Cerro Pelado Fire is located seven miles east of Jemez Springs and ignited from an unknown cause on Friday, April 22nd around 1539 hours.
There is a 98% containment status after fire crews were able to hold it today to a 45,605-acre fire having destroyed short grass, closed timber litter, and medium logging slash. Fire behavior is now minimal with smoldering.
There is still 13 total personnel that are on the fire ground who have completed fire suppression fully.
Ten structures were lost but many were saved. Cost-to-date for suppression and containment efforts has reached a total of $45.4 million dollars.
As of today’s update, there has been no determination found as to the cause of the fire. The incident has been turned back over to the local Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands/
BEAR TRAP FIRE | 22 miles southwest of Magdalena
The first initial reporting of the Bear Trap Fire first occurred on May 1st, when it was in the infant stages as 100-acres located in the San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District.
About 38,225 acres of timber have been scorched from the Bear Trap Fire and has a current containment of 98%, which is great news for those who were initially deployed to the remaining 13 total personnel and one crew.
This fire now has minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping activities. However, fire officials are reporting structures in the zone are still under threat. Area/road/trail closures are in effect.
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