Largest wildfire in New Mexico history reaches 100 percent containment
23 August 2022
Published by: https://www.taosnews.com
USA – Fire officials: ‘There are no remaining heat sources’
Five months after the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak wildfires merged amid high winds and historic drought conditions, fire officials announced on Sunday (Aug. 21) that the blaze is 100 percent contained.
The wildfire, which displaced thousands of residents and destroyed property across multiple counties, grew to 341,735 acres, the largest in New Mexico’s history.
Both the Calf Canyon Fire and the Hermits Peak Fire were lit as prescribed burns by the Santa Fe National Forest, prompting an investigation and calls for a reassessment of U.S. Forest Service land management practices.
Despite heavy monsoon rains over the burned area, the Calf Canyon–Hermits Peak Fire is still being managed as a wildfire, with 470 personnel currently assigned to it.
“Before a fire is declared ‘out,’ it must first be contained and then controlled,” according to a Southwest Area Incident Management Team press release on Sunday. “There is still ongoing suppression repair, burned area emergency response (BAER), flood mitigation and monitoring activities to be completed.”
According to the release, “Containment signifies that a control line has been completed around the fire’s perimeter, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread. Based on robust monsoonal moisture and monitoring of the fire perimeter for the last
month, fire managers have high confidence there are no remaining heat sources and no additional growth will occur.”
Several forest closures are still in effect in the Santa Fe National Forest, although officials have reduced the fire closure area and opened 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.
The Carson National Forest also has several closures still in effect in the Camino Real Ranger District near Taos.
After a soaking cool rain on Saturday (Aug. 20), temperatures remained below average on Sunday, according to the release. Shower coverage will substantially decrease with more isolated to scattered afternoon showers/storms. The flash flood threat will remain low. Daily isolated to scattered showers and storms will continue each afternoon/evening into the middle portion of the week with a low to moderate flash flood threat.
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.
