FOR PUBLIC RELEASE AT 9AM JUNE 8th 2018
Colfax County is pleased to announce that the citizens of Ute Park are cleared to re-enter their homes today June 8th, 2018 at 10am.
All property access off NM 204 is still closed and under evacuation orders.
We ask that you obey all speed limits and traffic laws while returning. There will be a law enforcement presence to assist in this transition. We want to stress that your homes are safe. There were only minor losses to outbuildings at Cimarroncita Camp. Power was restored to the community several days ago.
The fire threat to Ute Park has been minimized; however there are still some concerns. Air quality will continue to be an issue as the Ute Park Fire is expected to burn for some time. The winds will change over the course of this fire and there will be a smoke presence. There is an air quality monitoring station in Cimarron, Ute Park and the Moreno Valley that will provide up to date info on potential hazards. Updates on smoke and air quality and links to monitoring information will be available on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5820/ and https://nmfireinfo.com.
Local Ute Park Residents will be allowed to travel between Ute Park and Eagle Nest on US Highway 64. ID will be required. (This includes part time residents/ Ute Park Property owners)
Non-residents of Ute Park will not be allowed entry to the west bound section of US Highway 64.
Please be aware that US Highway 64 will remain closed between Cimarron and Ute Park to all civilian traffic. This is due to ongoing firefighting efforts and damage to the highway corridor. NM 204 will remain closed as well. The road blocks at US 64 in Eagle Nest/ East side, US 64 in Cimarron/ West side, and US 64 and NM 204 will remain in place. Reduced speed through the canyon is advised, there will be fire mitigation efforts along the Ute Park to Eagle Nest section of US 64. Expect delays, there may be lane closures resulting in single lane travel with flaggers and pilot cars.
For Ute Parks residents on the Cimarron side of the fire, there will be a one time convoy meeting at the Cimarron/ West side road block that will allow you access to your homes. This convoy will leave the Cimarron road block at 12 noon on June 8th, 2018. All other entry and exit will be directed to the Eagle Nest side of the Canyon.
Ute Park residents are advised that there will be continued work in and around the immediate area of Ute Park as the fire teams begin removal of equipment and supplies. Your patience and cooperation is appreciated.
We thank you for your patience, kindness, generosity and perseverance through this trying time.
Fire Information
EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
Ute Park Fire – June 8, 2018 Evening Update
SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #1
BEA DAY – INCIDENT COMMANDER
Ute Park Residents Return; Smoke to Remain in Coming Days
Acres: 36,740 acres (26,387 acres on Philmont Scout Ranch) Percent Containment: 77%
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: 545 personnel including 13 crews, 10 helicopters, 18 engines, 4 bulldozers, 7 water tenders
Colfax County lifted 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/.
Until monsoons arrive, expect to see flames and smoke within the fire’s perimeter as the fire burns through pockets of previously unburned vegetation. It is likely fire within the perimeter will produce notable smoke that will be visible from both Ute Park and the Cimarron areas. Fire activity and smoke will vary with weather, vegetation and terrain.
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 also using large equipment to install concrete Jersey barriers along sections of Highway 64 to help catch rolling and flooding debris.
As containment increases and fewer personnel are needed to keep the fire’s perimeter secure, resources will be demobilizing from the fire in the next 2-3 days. Many crews and equipment will be reassigned to support operations on emerging incidents. The fire personnel and equipment remaining on the Ute Park Fire will be mopping up, patrolling the line and chipping the remnants from thinning operations.
There was a community meeting at 5pm tonight at the Ute Park Fire Department. This meeting is available online at https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo.
No homes have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Structure protection measures are in place, 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
Facebook: https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo Twitter: https://twitter.com/uteparkfireinfo
Public Line: (505) 309-0751 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Media Line: (520) 485-8073 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
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