Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Single Incident Information

Zoom to your location
Reset map zoom and position

Could not determine your location.

Hermits Peak Fire

Share this incident

Unit Information

New Mexico 
Santa Fe, 
87508 
New Mexico 
Santa Fe, 
87508 

Incident Contacts

Hermits Peak Fire Information
Email: 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov
Phone: 505-356-2636
Hours: Daily 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Santa Fe National Forest Public Affairs
Email: SM.FS.sfnfpao@usda.gov
Phone: 505-438-5320

  

Summary:  The Hermits Peak Fire began April 6 as a result of the Las Dispensas prescribed fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.   Although forecasted weather conditions were within parameters for the prescribed fire, unexpected erratic winds in the late afternoon caused multiple spot fires that spread outside the project boundary.  It was declared a wildfire at approximately 4:30 p.m. on April 6, 2022. Named the Hermits Peak Fire, the wildfire began approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM at the base of Hermits Peak in the Pecos Wilderness. The Hermits Peak Fire is in mixed conifer in steep, rugged terrain that poses challenges for firefighter access. 

The Calf Canyon Fire was caused by a pile burn holdover from January that remained dormant under the surface through three winter snow events before reemerging in April. A holdover fire, also called a sleeper fire, is a fire that remains dormant for a considerable time.

The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires are managed as one fire. An increase in crews, engines, and heavy equipment have arrived to support and strengthen fire suppression repair efforts, mitigate impacts from flooding and reenforce existing containment lines. Working hand in hand with private landowners, fire crews are fixing fences, repairing roads, seeding, chipping, and removing vegetation with great perseverance and fortitude. As additional requests are received, crews continue to respond wherever needs are identified.



Basic Information
Current as of Tue, 10/25/2022 - 11:21
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary.
Date of Origin
Location 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM
Incident Commander Luke
Helfinstine
IC, Type 4
Incident Description The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires are being managed as one fire.
Coordinates 35° 43' 5'' Latitude
-105° 23'
58
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 4
Size 341,735 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 100%
Fuels Involved

Hardwood Litter
Timber (Litter and Understory)

Spruce/fir and ponderosa pine forest types with a significant amount of dead standing and dead and downed fuels in the under story are currently the primary fuel type. Aspen groves and scrub oak exist at mid-elevations, with pinyon-juniper and grass-shrub types at the lowest elevations. Widespread greenup has occurred
in live woody fuels and herbaceous fuel at all elevations.

Significant Events

Minimal

Outlook
Planned Actions

Incident efforts will be focused on identifying suppression repair needs and implementing repair work throughout the
fire area as they are identified.

Current Weather
Weather Concerns

Dry weather through the day Saturday. Winds will be light today, breezy Friday and windy Saturday, and strong, possibly damaging winds Sunday. especially over the mountains and onto the eastern
highlands and plains. Rain and mountain snow will begin Saturday night and continue off and on through Monday night. Temperatures
will plummet during this time. Tuesday and Wednesday should be
dry and not as chilly.