USDA Forest Service News:
The USDA Forest Service issued the following update this morning on the Cerro Pelado Fire burning in the Jemez Mountains.
Red Flag Warning in effect 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. today.
Weather and Behavior: Thursday, it was extremely windy and dry but crews had a successful day on the fireline, the perimeter held and there was no new growth. The increased fire activity seen in the afternoon was well within the fire perimeter and was burning large areas of unburned dead and down trees. Conditions for rapid fire spread are extreme and we will see similar critical fire weather day with another Red Flag Warning 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. today.
After today, a cold front will move over the fire and produce lower temperatures and higher relative humidity, assisting firefighter operations.
Fire Operations: Crews will see similar hot and dry conditions today and it will be another harsh test to the fire perimeter. Crews will continue to establish hose lay in the upper Peralta Canyon area where there is the most heat and will work to extinguish hotspots. Helicopters will again be available to assist the firefighters on the ground.
Incident Statistics:
- Size: 45,605 Acres
- Containment: 75 percent
- Start Date: April 22, 2022
- Cause: Unknown
- Total personnel: 633
Crews have started suppression repair on the 287 road to repair dozer and hand lines. Crews worked along the 289 road on the east side of the fire and didn’t encounter any smoke while patrolling the canyon.
Along the southern and western side of the fire, crews have not seen any new smoke or heat and have started suppression repair and rehab of the area. Firefighters will work with local resource advisors to repair areas where fireline was constructed.
The structure division continues to patrol and secure homes in the Cochiti mesa area and haven’t reported any new fire activity near the homes.
The night division was out again patrolling and were able to extinguish a few hotspots they found.
N.M. 4 is open to local traffic only so please drive carefully. By reducing speeds you can help protect firefighters working in the area.
Information Phone Line: 505.312.4593
Email: 2022.CerroPelado@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Facebook: https:/facebook.com/2022.
Twitter: https:/twitter.com/SantafeNF
Evacuations:
Closures:
- Santa Fe National Forest Closure order
- Carson National Forest Closure order
- Cibola National Forest Closure order
Air Quality: Information on air quality is at New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking, and an interactive smoke map is available.
Fire Restrictions: The Santa Fe, Carson and Cibola National Forests have implemented forest closures effective at 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.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): There is a flight restriction over the fire area and drones are also prohibited. Temporary Flight Restrictions.
Courtesy/USDA Forest Service
