Black Fire (2022)

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Black Fire
The Black Fire in the Gila National Forest viewed at sunset from NM 51W on 16 May 2022.jpg
The Black Fire viewed at sunset from NM 51W on 16 May 2022
Date(s)May 13, 2022 (2022-05-13) – July 27, 2022 (2022-07-27)
Location New Mexico
Coordinates 33°14′42″N107°55′37″W / 33.245°N 107.927°W / 33.245; -107.927
Statistics
Burned area325,133 acres (131,577 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuriesUnknown
Structures destroyed2 destroyed, 51 threatened
Ignition
CauseHuman, under investigation
Map
Black Fire (2022)
Perimeter of Black Fire
USA New Mexico location map.svg
FireIcon.svg
Location in New Mexico
Usa edcp location map.svg
FireIcon.svg
Black Fire (2022) (the United States)

The Black Fire was a massive wildfire that burned in the northern Black Range in Sierra County, Catron County, and Grant County, Northeast of Silver City, in the state of New Mexico in the United States as part of the 2022 New Mexico wildfire season. [1]

Contents

On June 9 [2] the fire surpassed the Whitewater–Baldy complex Fire to become the second largest fire in modern New Mexico history, behind the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. [3] Previously, on May 27, it had become the third largest fire in state history. [4]

As of 25 June 2022, the Black Fire has burned 325,133 acres (131,577 ha) and is 70% contained. The fire has destroyed 2 structures and threatens an additional 51 structures nearby. The footprint of the fire spans approximately 33 miles north to south, and 30 miles east to west.

Events

The Black fire started on May 13, due to human cause.

The origin of the fire was centered on "Me-Own Air Strip" off of Forest Road 150 near Middle Mesa, in a rural area of Gila National Forest.

In the span of one week the fire grew to 100,000 acres. As of May 21 there are 615 personnel working on the fire. The fire is being managed by a type 2 team, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5, led by Mike Spilde.

The region has been experiencing sustained critical fire weather conditions, including red flag warnings, which are contributing to explosive fire growth.

Between May 15 and May 17, the fire grew over 27,000 acres per a day, fueled by red flag conditions. On May 18, the Black Fire became the fourth largest wildfire in recorded New Mexico state history.

As of 21 May 2022, the blaze is over 120,000 acres and 4% contained.

As of 31 May 2022, the blaze is over 246,648 acres and 28% contained.

As of 9 June 2022, the blaze is over 298,440 acres and 44% contained.

As of 25 June 2022, the blaze is over 325,133 acres and 70% contained.

Impacts

Much of the burn area encompasses the Aldo Leopold Wilderness.

The fire has burned over 41 miles of the Continental Divide Trail, as well as 7.5 miles of the scenic spur trail to Reeds Peak. The CDT has been rerouted to avoid the fire. [5] [6] The CDT has also been rerouted in the past due to previous fires in the area. [7] [8]

Injuries, deaths, and destruction

No fatalities have been reported as a result of the Black Fire.

Closures and evacuations

Gila National Forest was under level 2 fire restrictions and New Mexico Highways 59 and 152 were closed.

Environmental

Smoke from the Black Fire, in addition to the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burning in northern New Mexico, has contributed to poor air quality throughout the region. [9]

Cultural

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the historic mining town of Winston, New Mexico, are in the vicinity of the fire. Protective measures have been deployed by the Forest Service in order to prevent damage to historical cabins. [10]

Progression and containment status

Acreage and containment figures for the Black Fire:

Fire containment status
Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;
DateArea burned
acres (km2)		Containment
May 13200 (1)
0%
May 14500 (2)
0%
May 151,174 (5) [11]
0%
May 1618,762 (76) [12]
0%
May 1756,132 (227) [13]
0%
May 1877,529 (314) [14]
0%
May 1993,014 (376) [15]
0%
May 20104,969 (425) [16]
0%
May 21120,785 (489) [17]
4%
May 22130,224 (527) [18]
6%
May 23146,479 (593) [19]
8%
May 24154,911 (627) [20]
11%
May 25167,378 (677) [21]
14%
May 26179,539 (727) [22]
13%
May 27191,459 (775) [23]
13%
May 28212,118 (858) [24]
18%
May 29228,311 (924) [25]
19%
May 30241,403 (977) [26]
26%
May 31246,648 (998) [27]
28%
June 1254,840 (1,031) [28]
25%
June 2262,695 (1,063) [29]
26%
June 3264,657 (1,071) [30]
29%
June 4268,218 (1,085) [31]
29%
June 5278,188 (1,126) [32]
27%
June 6287,273 (1,163) [33]
49%
June 7292,770 (1,185) [34]
49%
June 8296,895 (1,201) [35]
45%
June 9298,440 (1,208) [36]
44%
June 10300,336 (1,215) [37]
47%
June 11304,550 (1,232) [38]
42%
June 12304,550 (1,232) [39]
42%
June 13311,692 (1,261) [40]
47%
June 14312,519 (1,265) [41]
47%
June 15317,676 (1,286) [42]
48%
June 16320,971 (1,299) [43]
48%
June 17324,132 (1,312) [44]
50%
June 18324,909 (1,315) [45]
58%
June 19325,042 (1,315) [46]
64%
June 20325,111 (1,316) [47]
68%
June 21325,115 (1,316) [48]
68%
June 22325,128 (1,316) [49]
68%

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cruz, Isaac (May 16, 2022). "Black Fire burning north of Mimbres in Gila National Forest; 120,785 acres burned". KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  2. ↑ Javaheri, Pedram; Chinchar, Allison (June 9, 2022). "Black Fire becomes New Mexico's 2nd largest fire in the state's history". CNN. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ KOB, Jonathan Fjeld (June 9, 2022). "Black Fire becomes second largest wildfire in New Mexico history". KOB.com.
  4. ↑ "Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present and Future | Black Fire Grows to NM's Third Largest | Season 5 | Episode 51". PBS. Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  5. ↑ Miller, Elizabeth (May 23, 2022). "Fires Have Closed the CDT in New Mexico—and the Reopening Could Be More Than a Month Away". Backpacker. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Black Mountain Fire CDT Re-route" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  7. ↑ Davis, Theresa (November 5, 2020). "A needed detour: NM volunteers reroute portion of Continental Divide Trail - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  8. ↑ Affairs, Gila National Forest Public (May 24, 2018). "Gila National Forest – CDT Alternate Route, Buzzard Fire, Reserve Ranger District". NM Fire Info. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ Goldberg, Julia (May 1, 2022). "Wildfire's Rapid Spread Worries New Mexico Officials". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  10. ↑ Wadas, Natalie (June 9, 2022). "Firefighters 'wrap' historic, vulnerable buildings in path of Black Fire". KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Black Fire Update for May 15, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 15, 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Black Fire Update 5-16-22". NM Fire Info. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Black Fire Update for May 17, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 18, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 19, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 19, 2022. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 20, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 21, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 21, 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 22, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 22, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Black Fire Update – May 23, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Black Fire Update – May 24, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Black Fire Update – May 25, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  22. ↑ Officer, Public Information (May 26, 2022). "Black Fire Daily Update: 5/26/22". NM Fire Info. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  23. ↑ Officer, Public Information (May 27, 2022). "Black Fire Daily Update: 5/27/22". NM Fire Info. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 28, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 28, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Black Fire Update – May 29, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 30, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 30, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – May 31, 2022". NM Fire Info. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 1, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 2, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 3, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 4, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 4, 2022. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 5, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 6, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 6, 2022. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 7, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 8, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 9, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 9, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 10, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 11, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 12, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 12, 2022. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Black Fire Daily Update – June 13, 2022". NM Fire Info. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 Assumes Command of Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 14, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Very dry weather conditions test the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Black Fire community meeting tonight at 6:00 pm in Hillsboro". NM Fire Info. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Additional containment added to the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Rain falls over the Black Fire, New Mexico Highway 152 reopens". NM Fire Info. June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Containment climbs on the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Flood Watch for flash flooding on the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 20, 2022. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Evacuation status lifted on the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Suppression repair continues despite rains on the Black Fire". NM Fire Info. June 22, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
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