The Cerro Pelado Fire was a wildfire that burned in the southern Jemez Mountains in Sandoval County, southwest of Los Alamos, in the state of New Mexico in the United States as part of the 2022 New Mexico wildfire season. The cause of the fire was determined to be an escaped prescribed burn started by the US Forest Service. The wildfire started on April 22, 2022, during extreme fire weather conditions. As of 15 June 2022[update], the Cerro Pelado Fire has burned 45,605 acres (18,456 ha) and is 100% contained.[1]
| Cerro Pelado Fire | |
|---|---|
 Cerro Pelado Fire Raging seen from NM 4 | |
| Date(s) | April 22, 2022 |
| Location | New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35°46′30″N 106°35′06″W / 35.775°N 106.585°W |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 45,605 acres (18,456 ha) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
| Structures destroyed | 10 |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Map | |
  | |
Events
On April 22, 2022, large portions of New Mexico experienced extreme fire conditions, including a red flag warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Albuquerque.[2] The fire was first reported that afternoon, it was officially named the Cerro Pelado Fire after the nearby Cerro Pelado mountain.
The Cerro Pelado Fire was partially burning within the burn scar of the 2011 Las Conchas Fire, and near those of the 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire and the 2017 Cajete Fire.
On June 15, 2022, it was announced that the Cerro Pelado Fire was fully contained.[3] The New Mexico Type 3 Team will now hand charge to the Jemez Ranger District June 15, 2022.[4]
Cause
An investigation by the United States Forest Service concluded in 2023 determined that the probable cause was debris-burning activities. A prescribed burn by the USFS had taken place in the area and several debris piles left by logging activity had been ignited in January and February of 2022. The piles were monitored occasionally following the initial prescribed burn and some of the piles in the ignition area retained heat as late as April 20, 2022. Fire crews would create berms around hot piles and spread the ashes to allow the heat to escape. The red flag event led to the spread of hot ash and embers from the burn piles, igniting the fire.[5]
Impacts
Closures
During the fire, it prompted the closure of the nearby Bandelier National Monument and the Valles Caldera National Preserve,[6][7] as well as New Mexico State Road 4 from mile marker 27 to mile marker 59.
Evacuations
There are no longer evacuation orders
Weather/Health
Smoke from the Cerro Pelado Fire, in addition to the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire and Cooks Peak Fire also burning in northern New Mexico, has contributed to poor air quality throughout the region.[8][9]
Progression and containment status
| Date | Area burned acres (km2) | Containment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22 | 50 (0)[10] | 0% | ||
| April 23 | 3,445 (14)[11] | 0% | ||
| April 24 | 3,445 (14)[12] | 0% | ||
| April 25 | 4,688 (19)[13] | 0% | ||
| April 26 | 4,903 (20)[14] | 0% | ||
| April 27 | 5,711 (23)[15] | 0% | ||
| April 28 | 6,119 (25)[16] | 5% | ||
| April 29 | 7,245 (29)[17] | 15% | ||
| April 30 | 15,650 (63)[18] | 15% | ||
| May 1 | 17,885 (72)[19] | 10% | ||
| May 2 | 22,314 (90)[20] | 10% | ||
| May 3 | 25,004 (101)[21] | 10% | ||
| May 4 | 26,927 (109)[22] | 13% | ||
| May 5 | 29,368 (119)[23] | 13% | ||
| May 6 | 32,121 (130)[24] | 13% | ||
| May 7 | 34,671 (140)[25] | 11% | ||
| May 8 | 37,425 (151)[26] | 11% | ||
| May 9 | 40,958 (166)[27] | 11% | ||
| May 10 | 42,491 (172)[28] | 11% |
¹April 23 true acreage is unknown due to inaccurate mapping.