Ute Park Fire - June 6, 2018 Morning Update

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 06 June 2018 06 June 2018

EMNRD-Forestry Division
Ute Park Fire - June 6, 2018 Morning Update

Southwest Area Incident
Management Team #1

Bea Day - Incident Commander

Fire Behavior Expected to Increase with Hot and Dry Weather

Acres: 36,800 acres Percent Containment: 30%
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: 604 personnel including 15 crews, 7 helicopters, 29 engines, 7 bulldozers, 10 water tenders

Crews are concentrating efforts on the west and southwest flanks of the fire. Hotshot crews are constructing handline, digging down to bare mineral soil, to help limit the fire’s spread. They are working in steep, rugged, remote terrain. Helicopters will continue dropping water to help support firefighters on the ground. Firefighters are also scouting and planning for contingency lines in the event burning operations become necessary

Firefighters are clearing brush along Highway 64 west of Ute Park. A mandatory evacuation order for the community is still in place and 219 residences remain threatened. Structure protection measures are in place if needed, including hoselays and sprinklers.

Minimal movement along north and northeastern flanks is anticipated. The eastern portion of the fire is contained. Firefighters expect smoldering and moderate fire activity within the fire’s perimeter in this area.

Crews are patrolling the fire’s east and south flanks and mopping-up hot spots. A spike camp is set up at the Philmont Scout Ranch to better support these firefighters and minimize travel times to the fireline.

A community meeting was held yesterday in Cimarron, and can be viewed at https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo .

No homes have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Scout Ranch on May 31.

Firefighters are working to suppress this fire where they can do so safely and effectively. Values at risk include public and firefighter safety, the community of Ute Park, the Philmont Scout Ranch, the Cimarroncito and Urraca Watersheds, Cimarron Canyon State Park, private lands, economic benefits from tourism and recreation in the area, and air quality.

Cimarron State Park remains closed. Carson National Forest has rescinded its temporary closure of the East Side of Valle Vidal Unit. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is now open to boating.

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 , https://bit.ly/2sqcLJ4 , and https://bit.ly/2Jj0c98. 

The Red Cross is operating a shelter at the Eagle Nest Senior Center at 74 N. Tomboy Dr., Eagle Nest, NM.

Call 511 or visit http://nmroads.com/ for current road information. US 64 remains closed eastbound and westbound from mile marker 287 to mile marker 309 at Cimarron. Road crews installing Jersey barriers along sections of Highway 64. NM 204 is closed north and south of mile marker 0 to mile marker 10.

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 
Colfax County Emergency Management Information: https://bit.ly/2LbNdXh 
Public Line: (505) 309-0751 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

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