Courtesy/USDAFS
USDA Forest Service News:
Temperatures will continue to increase over the Cerro Pelado Fire area with relative humidity remaining in the single digits. Fire activity has been minimal along the perimeter. The fire has not spread for several days, even under adverse weather conditions.
The northwest side of the fire, near the Jemez Falls, has completed back haul of fire suppression equipment. The crews will mop up deep into the interior of the fire perimeter when it’s safe to do so. The section of the fire referred to as “the horseshoe” has been contained increasing containment to 95 percent.
Suppression repair continues on the south side of the fire using hand crews and on the west side of the fire using heavy equipment. Local and incident resources in the eastern side of the fire will continue to patrol the fire’s perimeter while assisting with any needed initial attack that arises.
Red Flag Warning conditions are predicted for today and Sunday. With this critical fire weather expected over this holiday weekend, the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Three would like to remind the public to be safe with fire and observe all closures and fire restrictions.
The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted from over the fire.
Incident Statistics:
- Size: 45,605 acres
- Containment: 95 percent
- Start Date: April 22, 2022
- Cause: Unknown
- Total personnel: 463
BAER Information:
- The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has begun assessment of National Forest System (NFS) lands impacted by the Cerro Pelado Fire. Information and resources can be found on the Cerro Pelado Post-Fire BAER assessment InciWeb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8118/
Crews/Equipment:
- 9 type II hand crews, 14 engines, 1 bulldozer, 10 water tenders, 4 ambulances and 2 helicopters.
Evacuations:
- Sandoval County: https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/fire-alerts/
Closures:
- Santa Fe National Forest Closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/alerts-notices
- Carson National Forest Closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/carson/alerts-notices
- Cibola National Forest Closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices
Air Quality:
- Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking: https://nmtracking.org/fire, and an interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Fire Restrictions:
- The Santa Fe, Carson and Cibola National Forests have implemented forest closures effective 8 a.m. Thursday, May 19. Stage II Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Santa Fe National Forest, which prohibits all campfires and other hazardous activities. Due to ongoing fire threats, Sandoval County will not issue burn permits. Stage III Fire Restrictions are in effect for Pueblo de Cochiti and Los Alamos.
