24 May Fire Season comes early

Unfortunately with our return to Taos, the colossal winds and decade-long draught had sparked several wildfires unseasonably early across Northern New Mexico. The largest, started near the eastern town of Las Vegas, after a prescribed burn grew out of control earlier in the month, then merged with a 2nd fire around the end of April. The Hermits Peak fire quickly grew with the wind and lack of rain, until it was the largest fire in New Mexico history.

Taos is situated roughly 30-40 miles northwest of the fire, on the other side of the mountain range. Winds were mostly in our favor, luckily, but we had many days still with smoke and dust-filled air. An unfortunate side affect is that after several weeks working outside in the dry air, most of us at the farm developed a cold/flu bug around may 15. All COVID tests were negative, but it was a couple days feeling under the weather all around. Our hosts were extremely supportive, with Muna dropping off giant pots of tea for helping all of our lungs to recover.

Recovery came quickly and everyone was back to themselves after a couple days. The fire was still growing and our views from Arroyo Seco, north of town were getting more dramatic.

Two Saturday’s ago, Aaron and drove down to Santa Fe to meet up with a visiting friend — and took the high road from Taos (highway 518). The road closed about 5-6 miles from the fire’s edge, near the Sipapu Ski Resort, that had their snow guns blasting the trees and property with water in prevention. The views of the smoke were incredible and terrifying, with the wind still powering in from the southwest.

The following Monday, we woke up to orange hazy skies with days of wind and sun ahead.

This week we’ve all waited impatiently for any rainy forecast, watching our neighbor Colorado to the north get pounded with days of snow and rain – most of that storm skirted New Mexico, dropping little to zero precipitation. Other storm clouds moved through the area, with rain evaporating on the way to the ground, leaving everything devastatingly dry.

By Friday, even more evacuations were taking place, and our local national forest closed to all recreational activity until mid July (or pending enough rain). Events around town were being cancelled or relocated, including the Kit Carson Concert Series – featuring the artist duo Thievery Corporation (relocated to Santa Fe). More firefighters have arrived to help protect the multitude of towns that are threatened by the 300,000 acre fire.

FINALLY the rains have come last night and today. Here’s hoping the trend continues with the cooler, calmer, wetter weather and the fire is finally contained to burn itself out.