Ute Fire update from ENMRD-Forestry Division June 3, 2018 a.m.-severe thunderstorm expected today

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 03 June 2018 03 June 2018

EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
Ute Park Fire - June 3, 2018 Morning Update

SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT TEAM #1
Bea Day - Incident Commander

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Today

Acres: 31,930 (based on infrared data) Percent Containment: 0%
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: 511 personnel including 10 crews, 7 helicopters, 32 engines, 8 dozers, 7 water tenders

Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the Ute Park Fire and the surrounding area through Sunday. Up to 1” of rain and 30 mph winds from the south are expected to impact the area beginning about noon. Flash flooding is expected. Precipitation may help limit fire activity in the short term, but critical fire weather conditions are expected to return. Firefighters are prepared to respond to new starts within the area as wide-spread lightning is expected today.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued last night for the residents of Ute Park. The fire did not move further north overnight. Firefighters put a dozer line around the community to help protect Ute Park. Firefighters continue to reduce fuels around structures and set up sprinkler systems. Visit https://bit.ly/2ssHjKi for an interactive Ute Peak fire map.

Extensive burning operations conducted yesterday to help protect the Cimarron area were successful on the fire’s eastern and southern flanks. Firefighters on the ground are securing control lines and mopping-up hot spots, aided by water-dropping helicopters and retardant-dropping air tankers.

The north flank of the Ute Park Fire is being slowed by the burn scar of the 2002 Ponil Fire. Firefighters are seeking opportunities to corral the fire into areas with lighter fuels and natural barriers in this area.

Safety is our #1 priority. 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.

Sign Up for Colfax County’s Emergency Alerts at https://bit.ly/2LbNdXh . Ute Park currently has a mandatory evacuation. Fourteen outbuildings have burned on the Philmont Scout Ranch. Approximately 296 structures are threatened in the community of Cimarron, which remains under a mandatory evacuation order. Philmont Scout Ranch staff have also evacuated to the Colfax Fairgrounds in Springer, NM. There are no scouts currently at the camp.

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 as firefighting helicopters are utilizing the lake as a water source.

Use the 5-3-1 visibility method to protect your health from smoke: https://bit.ly/2jJwwd 7. 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.)

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.