A Letter to the Communities affected by the Ute Park Fire

Ute Park Fire Wildfire
News – 3 hrs. ago

To the members of the communities affected by the Ute Park Fire:

On May 31st, the Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team was ordered for the Ute Park Fire. Over the last 13 days, we have witnessed local communities come together to support our team, first responders, and most importantly each other. As we head home, we want to extend our appreciation to you all.

Wildfires are complex incidents that require cooperators to come together to execute a plan to contain the fire and keep the public safe. Cooperators on the Ute Park Fire seamlessly came together at the state and local level to work as one team. As a result, no lives or residential structures were lost, the fire footprint was kept as small as possible, and impacts to the communities’ infrastructure were minimized.

Thank you for all of your kind gestures of appreciation. Your heartfelt support means the world to our first responders. You made us feel like a part of your great community and we thank you.

As we transition to a local Type 3 Incident Management team, we are leaving the fire in their capable and professional hands. Our team wishes you all the best.

Bea Day

Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 1

Fire Information

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
Facebook: https://facebook.com/uteparkfireinfo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uteparkfireinfo
Public Line: (505) 309-0751 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Fire Information

EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
Ute Park Fire – June 11, 2018 Morning Update

SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #1
BEA DAY – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Hwy 64 Re-Opens to General Public

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: 445 personnel, 8 crews, 7 helicopters, 11 engines, 1 dozer, and 4 water tenders

US 64 has opened between mile marker 287 at Eagle Nest to mile marker 309. Delays may be possible due to road crews installing concrete Jersey barriers along sections of Highway 64 to prevent rolling and flooding debris from reaching the road. 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 remains closed. Visit the Cimarron Canyon State Park website for current updates. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open.

Despite the strong winds yesterday, containment lines around the perimeter of the fire held strong. Today’s weather will again near critical fire levels, but less wind is expected. Firefighters are prepared to respond to new starts in the area if needed.

Firefighters completed suppression repair yesterday, helping restore damage caused during suppression efforts (dozer line, helispots, etc.) to help minimize long term impacts. Firefighters will patrol and monitor existing containment lines around the north, east, and south flanks of the fire.

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.

Ute Park Fire Monday June 11, 2018 Final Update

A Letter to the Communities affected by the Ute Park Fire

Fire Information

Fire Information