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Published: 08 June 2018 08 June 2018

EMNRD-Forestry Division
Ute Park Fire - June 8, 2018 Morning Update

Southwest Area Incident
Management Team #1

Bea Day- Incident Commander

Ute Park Evacuation to be Lifted at 10 a.m.; US Highway 64 Remains Closed for Public Safety

Acres: 36,740 acres (based on more accurate mapping) Percent Containment: 66%
Start Date: May 31, 2018, 2:10pm Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Jurisdiction: NM State Fuels: Grass, Piñon Juniper, Mixed Conifer
Origin Location: Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron
Resources: 618 personnel including 15 crews, 8 helicopters, 26 engines, 6 bulldozers, 10 water tenders

Colfax County will be lifting the evacuation for Ute Park today at 10 a.m. All property access off NM 204 is still closed and under evacuation orders. Please visit the Colfax County website for more information http://www.co.colfax.nm.us/ .

US 64 remains closed eastbound and westbound between mile marker 287 at Eagle Nest to mile marker 309 at Cimarron for public safety. The only exception is for local Ute Park residents (with ID) who will be allowed to travel between Ute Park and Eagle Nest on US 64. NM 204 remains closed north and south of mile marker 0 to mile marker 10. These areas will stay closed as firefighters continue to work with collaborators to mitigate concerns related to uncontained fire, road conditions, flash flooding, and firefighter safety. Road crews are using large equipment to install concrete Jersey barriers along sections of Highway 64 to help catch rolling and flooding debris.

There will be a community meeting at 5pm tonight for Ute Park residents only at the Ute Park Fire Department. This meeting will be livestreamed online at https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo.

Firefighters continue to secure direct fireline on the west perimeter of the fire from Ute Park to Cimarroncito Reservoir. No additional perimeter growth is expected. Structure protection measures including hoselays and sprinklers in Ute Park remain in place. Chipping of cut vegetation along US 64 continues. Firefighters continue to monitor and patrol contained fireline on the north, south, and east sides of the fire. Fire suppression repair of these areas is ongoing to minimize impacts to these areas.

With variable and gusty winds, expect to see fire and smoke within the fire’s perimeter as the fire burns through previously unburned vegetation. Fire and smoke may continue to be visible from Ute Park and the Cimarron area.

No homes have burned on the Ute Park Fire. The evacuation order for the community of Ute Park will be lifted today (06/08) at 10 a.m. Structure protection measures are in place if needed, including hoselays and sprinklers. 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.

Use the 5-3-1 visibility method to protect your health from smoke: https://bit.ly/2jJwwd7 . Air Monitoring Resources are available at https://bit.ly/2tm1VG6 , https://bit.ly/2sqcLJ4 . A Smoke Forecast is available at https://bit.ly/2Jj0c98 .

Call 511 or visit http://nmroads.com/ for current road info. NM 204 is closed north and south of mile marker 0 to mile marker 10. US 64 remains closed eastbound and westbound from mile marker 287 to mile marker 309 at Cimarron.

Cimarron State Park remains closed. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open.

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.)