Wells in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire burn scar

About 910 wells, most of them private, are listed in a State Engineer database as existing within the 534-square-mile burn scar of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Others may be unregistered.

Testing all the wells in and around the burn scar has emerged as a key next step for examining the extent of heavy metal contamination detected recently in an independent geologic study. Kate Zeigler, a geologist, has independently tested 72 wells and discovered high levels of uranium, arsenic, antimony and other contaminants.

Location data for older wells is more likely to be inaccurate, according to a state hydrologist.
Chart: Patrick Lohmann (SourceNM)Source: Office of State Engineer, National Interagency Fire Center Created with Datawrapper