EMNRD-Forestry Division
Ute Park Fire - June 7, 2018 Morning Update

Southwest Area Incident
Management Team #1

Bea Day-Incident Commander

Dry Weather Expected Over the Fire Today

Acres: 36,800 acres Percent Containment: 35%
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: 611 personnel including 19 crews, 7 helicopters, 29 engines, 7 bulldozers, 10 water tenders

Dry weather is expected over the fire today. Citizens in the Cimarron area may see smoke today from within the fire’s perimeter as the fire continues to move through pockets of unburned pinyon juniper. This interior burning activity does not pose a threat to the community of Cimarron. Fire activity is expected to continue in this area, but is surrounded by previously burned areas that will confine its spread.

Hotshot crews made significant progress constructing direct fireline on the west side of the fire yesterday. Crews continue to construct and hold fireline from Ute Park to Cimarroncito Reservoir to limit the fire’s spread to the west. Today hotshot crews are focused on tying in a critical piece of this line, located in extremely steep terrain. Helicopters will support crews on the ground by shuttling supplies and dropping water to help cool hotspots as needed.

Firefighters continue to mop-up hotspots near the fire’s edge on the north side of the fire. They continue to monitor and patrol the contained areas of the fire on the east side of the fire.

Ute Park remains evacuated and State Highway 64 (between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon) remains closed for public safety. These areas remain closed as firefighters continue to work with collaborators to mitigate and address concerns related to uncontained fire, road conditions, flash flooding, and firefighter safety. Road crews are using large equipment to install Jersey barriers along sections of Highway 64 to help catch rolling and flooding debris. In the Ute Park area, firefighters and cooperators are working along the roadway, chipping thinned vegetation, and need the highway closed to make room for their equipment and give them room to operate safely.

No homes have burned on the Ute Park Fire. A mandatory evacuation order for the community of Ute Park is still in place and 219 residences remain threatened. 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.

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 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.)