EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #1
Bea Day - Incident Commander
Drier Weather Returns
Acres: 36,114 (based on improved mapping)
Percent Containment: 23%
Start Date: May 31, 2018, 2:10pm
Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Jurisdiction: NM State
Fuels: Grass, Pinyon Juniper, Mixed Conifer
Origin Location: Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron
Resources: 498 personnel including 13 crews, 8 helicopters, 19 engines, 2 bulldozers, 6 water tenders
A community meeting will be held today at 4 pm at the Angel Fire Community Center, located at 15 Cs Ranch Road, Angel Fire, NM, 87710. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo. Additional community meetings are also being planned to keep local residents informed.
Firefighters are prepared to respond to new fire starts after widespread lightning in the area yesterday. The wet weather is giving way to a drying pattern, although limited fire activity is predicted for today. Critical fire weather and smoky conditions are expected to return in the coming days as a high pressure system is building from the south.
Firefighters are patrolling and securing the fire’s east and south flanks. Crews are working directly on the fire’s southwest flank to try to help minimize impacts to the Cimarroncito and UrracaWatersheds. A mandatory evacuation order is still in effect for the Cimarron area. Approximately 550 structures are threatened in this area.
Firefighters are completing preparation for future burnouts to help protect structures in the Ute Park area, putting hoselays and sprinkler systems in place. Crews are also making progress on the fire’s north flank, aided by the 2002 Ponil Fire burn scar and natural barriers in the area. Ute Park remains under a mandatory evacuation order.Approximately 219 residences are threatened in this area.
No residences have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Ranch on May 31.
Firefighters are using direct attack tactics where possible, protecting values at risk and limiting the fire’s spread. Values include firefighter and public safety, critical municipal watersheds, structures, and air quality.
The Red Cross continues to have a shelter open at the Eagle Nest Senior Center at 74 N. Tomboy Dr., Eagle Nest, NM. The New Mexico Chapter of the American Red Cross is also supporting the City of Raton’s shelter at the Raton Convention Center, 901S. 3rd Street, Raton, NM. Evacuees are welcome at either shelter.
Call 511 or visit http://nmroads.com/ for current road information. US 64 is closed eastbound and westbound from mile marker 285 before Cimarron to mile marker 344 at Eagle Nest. NM 204 is closed northbound and southbound from mile marker 0 to mile marker 10. NM 21 is closed eastbound and westbound from mile marker 0 at Cimarron to mile marker 34 at Philmont. NM 58 is closed eastbound and westbound from mile marker 0 at Cimarron to mile marker 18.
Cimarron State Park is closed. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open, but Eagle Nest Lake is closed to boating as firefighting helicopters are utilizing the lake as a water source. The Carson National Forest has implemented an area closure as a precaution to potential fire spread.
Use the 5-3-1 visibility method to protect your health from smoke:https://bit.ly/2jJwwd7 . Air Monitoring Resources are available online at https://bit.ly/2tm1VG6 and https://bit.ly/2sqcLJ4 .
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org
Ute Park Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5820/ (air quality info, maps, etc.) and http://nmfireinfo.com
Public Line: (505) 309-0751 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Media Line: (520) 485-8073 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Colfax County Emergency Management Information: https://bit.ly/2LbNdXh