Hermits Peak Fire spreads further east prompting more evacuations

Updated at 8:25 a.m. MDT April 14, 2022

Operations Section Chief Shilow Norton said that decreasing winds on Wednesday allowed firefighters to make significant progress on the Hermits Peak Fire 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, New Mexico. They used helicopters to drop water on the southeast side of the fire to support dozers as they constructed fire line. Crews nearly completed that line and hand crews worked through the night on steep portions of the east end that were inaccessible to dozers.

On the northeast side, south of the 266 Road and the Sapello River, firefighters were able to put in fire line in areas where the fire had moved out of the timber and into grass. Dozers also put in direct fireline south and southwest of San Ignacio.

Click to see all articles on Wildfire Today, including the most recent, about the Calf Canyon, Hermits Peak, and Cooks Peak fires.

Mapping Wednesday evening determined that the fire had burned about 7,000 acres.

Sheriff Chris Lopez said initial assessments have found five outbuildings that were destroyed but have not seen any homes that burned.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect Thursday for southwest winds 20 to 30 mph gusting to 40 with relative humidity of 4 to 10 percent.

12:03 p.m. MDT April 13, 2022

The Hermits Peak Fire spread nearly four miles to the east on Tuesday, growing to 6,276 acres by Tuesday night according to the Santa Fe National Forest. (Reports from other government sources put it at 7,900 acres.) The fire is 12 miles northeast of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The east side of the fire has moved into flatter terrain, providing better access for firefighters. But until the wind speeds decrease, they will primarily be following the fire, picking up a few sections of the flanks as the head continues to move.

In a Wednesday morning briefing Operations Section Chief Shilow Norton said winds with sustained speeds of 48 mph gusting to 60 caused spot fires east of the fire Monday night. The fire continued to spread to the east-northeast on Tuesday and moved through the community of Las Dispensas. The 20 homes there had been prepped by firefighters in the last few days to reduce the chance of them burning. Mr. Norton said firefighters had to leave when the fire came through on Tuesday and later came back, but to his knowledge all of the homes were saved. The fire also impacted San Ignacio and Las Tusas. Firefighters are having some success, he said, in holding the northeast side of the fire in several places in the drainage along the Sapello River.

To see all articles about the Hermits Peak Fire on Wildfire Today, including the most recent, click HERE.

When the wind dies down, said Mr. Norton, previously completed fuel treatments east of the fire southwest of Sapello could be helpful in slowing the spread, allowing firefighters to take direct action. But with 48 mph winds, virtually nothing will stop the head of the fire. The wind has made it impossible for air tankers and helicopters to be effective.

The extreme fire activity prompted additional evacuations affecting the Canoncito area in the Manuelitas Creek drainage, locations near Manuelitas, and north of Gallinas.

Evacuations

The San Miguel County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation orders using the Ready, Set, Go! system. The following areas are in Go status (i.e., residents should be evacuating): Las Dispensas, Pendaries Village, San Ignacio, Las Tusas, Lone Pine Mesa, Canoncito, La Canada, Manuelitas, Lower Canyon Road in Gallinas Canyon and La Tewa, Chavez, County A3, Southwest Sapello, and Southern Tierra Monte-Canyon. The following areas are in Set status (i.e., residents should be preparing for a potential evacuation): Upper Rociada, Rociada, Pendaries Valley East, Penasco Blanco, South Carmen, Northern Tierra Monte-Canyon, Big Pine, Canovas Canyon, El Porvenir, Gallinas, and Trout Springs. An evacuation shelter is available at the Old Memorial Middle School gym located at the corner of Legion and Old National in Las Vegas, NM.

Weather

Red Flag Warnings are again in place for strong winds and low humidity. After a hard freeze Wednesday morning, it will be sunny and cool, with high temperatures far below normal.

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After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. View all posts by Bill Gabbert