The Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Fire of 2022 stands as New Mexico's largest and most destructive wildfire to date, prompting a critical investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) at the request of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernndez. Released recently, the GAO report identified significant shortcomings in the U.S. Forest Service's management of prescribed burns, essential for mitigating fire risks exacerbated by climate change. Over a decade, 43 prescribed fires escaped control across national forests in several states, highlighting systemic issues in fire management despite extensive federal funding.

Congresswoman Leger Fernndez emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures amidst plans to escalate prescribed burn efforts nationwide. Despite greener landscapes following recent rains in northern New Mexico, forests remain highly flammable, underscoring the critical imperative for responsible forest management. The Forest Service, igniting thousands of prescribed fires annually, aims to clear over 1.3 million acres annually to mitigate fire risks, though uneven progress and delays in implementation have been noted.

In response to the GAO's findings, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore acknowledged deficiencies and committed to a corrective action plan. Despite initial steps taken post-Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, the agency faces ongoing challenges in reforming its prescribed burn program. The GAO recommended a comprehensive implementation strategy with measurable goals and allocated resources to drive effective reform, underscoring the need for swift bureaucratic adaptation to combat increasingly severe wildfires.