EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
Ute Park Fire - June 11, 2018 Evening Update -- FINAL
SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #1
BEA DAY - INCIDENT COMMANDER
Ute Park Fire Management Will Transition to Type 3 Team on Tuesday
Acres: 36,740 acres (26,387 acres on Philmont Scout Ranch) Percent Containment: 92%
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: 244 personnel, 4 crews, 2 helicopters, 8 engines and 4 water tenders
Management of the Ute Park Fire will transition from the Type 1 Southwest Area Incident Management Team #1, (Bea Day, Incident Commander), to a local Type 3 Incident Management Team (Jamie Long, Incident Commander) starting at 6:00 am tomorrow, June 12. Beginning tomorrow, updates will be issued once a day in the evening, unless significant events occur.
Containment lines around the perimeter of the fire held strong today. Firefighters to continue to monitor and patrol the fire. The incoming Type 3 Incident Management Team is prepared to respond to new starts in the area if needed.
US 64 opened between mile marker 287 at Eagle Nest to mile marker 309 at 8am this morning. Delays may continue in the coming weeks as road crews work to prevent rolling and flooding debris from reaching the road and clearing debris after rains, as needed. NM 204 remains closed north and south of mile marker 0 to mile marker 10 - only residents are being allowed access. Call 511 or visit http://nmroads.com/ for current road info.
Cimarron Canyon State Park will remain closed through July 4, 2018. Visit the Cimarron Canyon State Park website for current updates. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open.
Smoke and flame will continue to be visible over the next few weeks until the area receives significant precipitation. Islands of unburned vegetation within the containment lines will continue to burn; however, this fire behavior is expected and is not a threat to the fire perimeter.
Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not. It is always dangerous to fly over or near a wildfire. If you fly, someone could die! Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones/ for more information on drones and wildfires.
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.
No homes have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Scout Ranch on May 31.
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 .
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 8 p.m.)