EMRD-Forestry Division Southwest Area Incident Management Team #1

Bea Day - Incident Commander

Cimarron Residents Returning
Ute Park Fire - June 4, 2018 Evening Update

Acres: 36,664 acres Percent Containment: 25%
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: 598 personnel including 15 crews, 8 helicopters, 29 engines, 5 bulldozers, 9 water tenders

The evacuation order for Cimarron and the surrounding area was lifted today. Highway 64 remains closed for the public’s safety. Road and utility crews are repairing damaged sections of highway and utility poles impacted by the fire.

Sunday’s wetting rains resulted in limited fire activity and smoke today. Critical fire weather and smoky conditions are expected to return in the coming days as a high-pressure system is building from the south.

Power was restored to Ute Park Monday evening. A mandatory evacuation order is still in place for the community and 219 structures remain threatened. Firefighters are setting up hose lays and sprinkler systems around structures in preparation for burning operations on the fire’s southwest flank.

A community meeting was held today at the Angel Fire Community Center. The meeting was recorded and can be viewed at https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo. Additional community meetings are being planned.

Firefighters are patrolling the fire’s east and south flank and working directly on the southwest flank to help minimize impacts to the Cimarroncito and Urraca Watersheds.

On the fire’s north flank, firefighters are making progress and working directly on the fire’s edge. The 2002 Ponil Fire burn scar and lighter fuels are helping crews gain containment in this area.

No residences have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Scout Ranch on May 31. Values at risk remain the public and firefighters, 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 online at https://bit.ly/2tm1VG6 and https://bit.ly/2sqcLJ4 .

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. Closure at US 64 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 287 to mile marker 309 Cimarron. NM 204 is closed northbound and southbound from mile marker 0 to mile marker 10.

Cimarron State Park is closed. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open, but Eagle Nest Lake is closed to boating as firefighting helicopters are utilizing the lake as a water source. The Carson National Forest has temporary closure of the East Side of Valle Vidal Unit as a precaution to potential fire spread. More info: https://bit.ly/2LZtHi3 

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.)