Wildfire — East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

2022-05-01 to 2022-05-13 · East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Cooks Peak Fire started on April 17, 2022 on private land north of Ocate. As a persistent windy pattern continued through the month of April, the fire grew rapidly to 59,063 acres. At the start of the month of May, Philmont Scout Ranch Back Country west of New Mexico State Road 21 in Colax County were given mandatory evacuation orders while in Mora County, residents of Los LeFebres, Los Huerros, and residents east of County Road 009 and north of New Mexico Highway 120 were also given evacuation orders. Firefighters were able to make significant progress on the Cooks Peak Fire during the early part of May. By May 3rd, the wildfire was 59,359 acres with 72 percent containment. By May 13th, the wildfire was 100 percent contained with that same acreage. A total of four buildings were destroyed by the Cooks Peak Fire. Ten injuries were reported from firefighting efforts. Damage estimates were received from the State of New Mexico.

Wider weather episode

The Cooks Peak Fire started north of Ocate on April 17, 2022. The wildfire continued to burn during the month of May, but fortunately, firefighters were able to fully contain the Cooks Peak Fire on May 13, 2022.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1015508. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.