Forest Service reopens some areas near Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire

SANTA FE, N.M. – A new closure order that went into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday reopened some areas on the west side of the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District that were closed due to extreme fire danger.

Monsoon rain and additional containment of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Fire have reduced the risk and allowed the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District to scale back the restricted area.

The always-popular Pecos Canyon corridor remains closed to hiking and camping under the new order, including all recreation sites from the Dalton Picnic Site north to Jacks Creek Campground, and there is no picnic or trailhead access within the canyon. Access to the Gallinas Canyon corridor is also off-limits.

The U.S. Forest Services asks that visitors do not go the following recreation sites:

• Jacks Creek, Iron Gate, Panchuela, Cowles, Holy Ghost, Field Tract, El Porvenir and EV Long Campgrounds
• Davis Willow and Dalton Dispersed Campgrounds
• Dalton, Oak Flats and Baker Flats Picnic Sites

“Folks are reminded that there are still hazards in that area,” said Jodi Mallozzi, the assistant public affairs officer for the Santa Fe National Forest. “We’re concerned about flash flooding issues and debris flow, and after a fire has gone through an area, there’s fire-weakened trees, loose boulders and areas that can be damaged from the fire area.”

Forest officials also said post-fire recovery crews are still working to stabilize burned areas – even in the reopened section.

For more information, the closure order is posted on the SFNF website.

As of July 4, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire has burned 341,735 acres and is 93% contained.