In April 2022, a controlled burn fire near Hermits Peak in the Santa Fe National Forest escaped its prescribed perimeter and combined with the Calf Canyon Fire, resulting in a catastrophic wildfire that spread across New Mexico. The hours and days that followed remain etched into the minds of New Mexico residents. As a local company based out of New Mexico, our own families and team remember that day.
“I can remember going into Las Vegas one afternoon and looking straight up in the air and seeing the tallest wall of smoke I had ever seen.”
- Mark Peabody, Curtis and Curtis Seed Company
Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Wildfire Devastation
At its most destructive point, it consumed nearly 10,000 acres of land per day, burning over 1,000 homes and 350,000 acres of land. It was the most severe forest fire in New Mexico's history.
When tragedy happens in your own backyard, the question isn’t, “Should we help?” It’s “How do we do it?” Fortunately, here at Curtis and Curtis Seed Company, we had our answer. Our families have called New Mexico home for generations, and we’ve dedicated our livelihoods to sourcing quality native seeds to repair and heal the land for farmers and ranchers. So, we got to work.
We partnered with our friends at Western States Reclamation and AeroTech to tackle such a wide-scale project. From sourcing to harvest and eventually applying the seeds across the burn scar area, we reseeded over 75,000 acres across northern New Mexico by the fall of 2023.
Since planting, we have witnessed remarkable growth. But the work isn’t done yet. Curtis and Curtis Seed and our partners are in it for the long haul. While full recovery will take time, we are grateful to be part of the growth and remain dedicated to seeing those thriving lands return.
Sharing our Story of Hope - Stewardship in Action
Our commitment to the long-term restoration of New Mexico, specifically the areas burned by Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon areas, led us to share our journey through a documentary:
We believe this story is one worth sharing as it embodies the resilient spirit of the people of New Mexico—a community we are proud to be a part of. We want to share that hope and raise awareness about the impacts of these wildfires and the critical importance of caring for this land we call home.
Learn more about our documentary and how you can partner with us!
