Vics Peak Fire was
wildfire that burned in the
Apache Kid Wilderness in the
Cibola National Forest in
New Mexico,
United States. First reported on June 15, 2020, the fire was started by a
lightning strike. The fire burned . It was contained on August 4, 2020. The fire threatened private property, utilities infrastructure, and natural resources in the area, including the habitat of the
Mexican spotted owl
The spotted owl (''Strix occidentalis'') is a species of true owl. It is a resident species of old-growth forests in western North America, where it nests in tree hollows, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between high and ...
. It also impacted recreational activities in the area due to trail and campground closures.
Events
June
The Vics Peak Fire was first reported burning in a remote area of the
Apache Kid Wilderness in
Cibola National Forest on June 15, 2020. Started by a lightning strike, the fire grew moderately and was monitored by fire crews. However, on June 18, unexpected fire behavior caused the fire to grow in size and two days later it had burned . Fueled by mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper and mahogany, smoke was visible from
Interstate 40,
Highway 1
The following highways are numbered 1.
For roads numbered A1, see list of A1 roads.
For roads numbered B1, see list of B1 roads.
For roads numbered M1, see List of M1 roads.
For roads numbered N1, see list of N1 roads.
For roads numbered ...
, and
Highway 107. A
temporary flight restriction was put in place over the fire. Forest Road 225 and trails leading into Apache Kid Wilderness were closed.
By the morning of June 23, the fire had grown to .
However, the next day, accurate mapping led to the acreage to be re-evaluated at . The fire also had its first day of partial containment at 5 percent.
In addition to the trails, two campgrounds were closed.
Medical screening and decontamination team were placed near all crew camps to support firefighters general health and to monitor for
COVID-19. The temporary flight restriction was expanded from five miles to 10 miles on June 26.
The next day, crews began work to protect nesting sites for the Mexican spotting owls, which are on the
endangered species list
On 29 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 5220 (2754 animals, 1 fungus, 2464 plant, 1 protist) endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.
For IUCN lists of endangered species by kingdom, ...
.
The fires containment declined to three percent as the fire grew to .
As of June 30, the fire had burned and is three percent contained.
July
The fire had burned by July 1, 2020 and was 18 percent contained.
The next day, fire officials stated that the threat of the fire growing had "slowed dramatically" and clean up continued.
By July 11, it had been 50 percent contained. The fire moved between Milo Canyon and Smith Canyon, backing slowly into San Mateo Canyon. Additionally, fire progressed north from West Blue and Teepee Peak Mountains, in the 1994 Coffee Pot Fire footprint.
A
monsoon entered the area, bringing moisture and concerns about flash floods.
On July 16, crews started the
Burn Area Emergency Response post-fire assessment.
Impact
The fire impacted recreational activities in the
Apache Kid Wilderness. Upon the fire's growth, on June 19 trails into the wilderness and two campgrounds were closed.
It also threatened the San Mateo Lookout and
Pankey Mine.
Even after containment, numerous trails and one campground remain closed.
While fighting the fire, crews had to improve existing Forest Roads in the fire region, which resulted in better driving conditions in the long-term.
Environmental
The fire threatened habitat for the
Mexican spotted owl
The spotted owl (''Strix occidentalis'') is a species of true owl. It is a resident species of old-growth forests in western North America, where it nests in tree hollows, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between high and ...
.
To support the owls, crews protected nesting sites using structure support and defensible space.
According to the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment, approximately 65 percent of the acreage in the fire's footprint was unburned or had low burn severity; 27 percent sustained moderate burn severity; and 2 percent suffered high burn severity. Six percent was not classified. Flash floods remain a concern.
See also
*
2020 New Mexico wildfires
References
External links
*
{{New Mexico wildfires
2020 New Mexico wildfires
June 2020 events in the United States
August 2020 events in the United States
Cibola National Forest