Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire (2022)
San Miguel & Mora Counties, New Mexico · Apr 6, 2022 – Aug 21, 2022
Largest wildfire in New Mexico historyAcres burned
341,735
Lives lost
0
Structures destroyed
903
Year
2022
What happened
The Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire is the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. It began as two escaped federal prescribed burns that merged, prompting a federal compensation fund for victims.
Cause
Two escaped U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns
Location
San Miguel & Mora Counties, New Mexico
Key facts
- ▪Largest wildfire in New Mexico history
- ▪Started from escaped federal prescribed burns
- ▪Congress created a dedicated victim compensation fund
- ▪Over 340,000 acres
Replay the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire in the spread simulator
This centers the wildfire-spread simulator on the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire’s documented ignition point and replays its conditions on 2022-04-06 — the day’s strongest wind, temperature, and humidity from the open-meteo historical archive (which set the fire-day fuel moisture) — run through the same Rothermel surface-fire model used across FireRisk. Press ▶ Simulate to watch how fire tends to move under those conditions.
⚠️ Educational reconstruction — not the real fire perimeter
This is a simplified model of how fire spreads under the 2022 conditions, not the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire’s actual burned area, official progression, or a prediction of any current fire. It cannot account for real fuels, suppression, spotting, or how conditions changed hour to hour. For real-time fire information always follow Watch Duty, official agencies, and local authorities — and call 911 in an emergency.
Loading the 2022 fire-day conditions…
Reminder: an educational reconstruction of fire spread under the 2022 conditions — not the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire’s actual perimeter, an official record, or a forecast. Modeled spread, direction, and timing are illustrative only. Never rely on it for any safety decision.
Aftermath & what changed
Because the fire began as two escaped U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns, Congress passed the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, creating a multibillion-dollar FEMA fund to compensate victims — a rare federal acceptance of liability.
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Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire FAQ
When was the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire and where did it burn?
The Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire started Apr 6, 2022 in San Miguel & Mora Counties, New Mexico, and was contained Aug 21, 2022.
How many acres did the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire burn?
The Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire burned approximately 341,735 acres.
How many people died in the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire?
Approximately 0 people died in the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire.
What caused the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire?
Two escaped U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns.
Figures are approximate and compiled from official agency reporting; totals for recent fires may still be revised. FireRisk.ai is an independent wildfire-risk service.