Black Feather Fire Update

Final Update for the Black Feather Fire 

Acres: 2,198 acres 

Start Date: August 5, 2023 

Cause: Lightning  

Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory 

Containment: 28% 

Resources: 114 personnel 

Location: Approximately 9 miles south of Gallina, NM, on the Santa Fe National Forest, Coyote Ranger District. Near the Peñas Negras Trail in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.   

 

Highlights: The type 3 team will be transferring command to the local district and transitioning on Thursday August 31st at 7am.  The crews and equipment have made great progress on the Black Feather fire. UAS pilots flew the UAS (Unmanned aircraft system) with infrared capabilities and scouted for hotspots and any areas of concern. While in flight the UAS (Unmanned aircraft system) only found one area of heat. Crews were able to access the area and address the heat. The Black Feather fire received significant rainfall the past few days aiding the crews in suppressing the fire.  

Hand crews gained more progress in the wilderness in continuing and secure the fires edge. Engine crews outside of the wilderness have been patrolling and monitoring the fires edge along with securing any hotspots or smoke showing within the fire’s perimeter.  

 

Operations: Suppression efforts are continuing within the wilderness and along the fires edge. Crews and engines are actively suppressing and monitoring activities in relation to weather and fire behavior to ensure incident objectives are met while remaining focused on firefighter safety.   

 

Safety: Equipment and fire crews are actively moving in and around the fire area. Please use caution when traveling around the Black Feather Fire. The Temporary Flight Restriction is still in place. Please do not fly drones anywhere near the fire. If you fly, we can’t fly. 

 

Weather: Storm chances will continue to trend down through the rest of the week, while temperatures trend upward a few degrees. Strong winds will be associated with thunderstorms along with outflow winds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening.  

 

Restrictions/Closures: Effective Monday, August 21, the Santa Fe National Forest has issued an updated area, road, and trail closure in part of the Coyote Ranger District. See https://bit.ly/BlackFeatherClosureUpdate for information and a corresponding map. Forest Road 103 is now open. Closures will be adjusted based on fire activity and firefighters will still be in the area.  

 

 

Black Feather Fire Information Office 

 
Phone 505-460-0499   

InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-black-feather-fire  
Email 2023.blackfeather@firenet.gov   
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/blackfeatherfireinfo