By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It started on Thursday May 31 at about 2:10 p.m. as a small spot fire south of Ute Park, a small unincorporated community, that lies in the middle of the Cimarron Canyon about half way between Cimarron and Eagle Nest and exploded into a major fire by night fall.
New Mexico State Forestry had the fire estimated at 150 acres by 4:40 p.m. Thursday afternoon state and local fire fighters and resources were working the blaze despite high winds and temperatures. By 9:00 p.m. the fire was estimated to have consumed 4,500 acres and had burned 12 out buildings on the east side of Ute Park in the area of Cimarroncito. Evacuation of residents along the Hummingbird Lane and surrounding area in Ute Park was in place as the fire continued to burn and had crossed U.S. Highway 64. A Type 1 Incident Management team had been requested to manage the fire. An evacuation center had been set up in Eagle Nest at the Eagle Nest Senior Center to handle Ute Park evecuees.
Overnight the blaze continued to grow and by 7:30 a.m. State Forestry officials had estimated the fire at 8,000 acres. A voluntary evacuation order was issued for Cimarron while the evacuation order for the Hummingbird Lane in Ute Park remained in effect. Highway 64 between Eagle Nest and Cimarron had been closed and State Road 204, a dirt road, from Cimarron up to Ponil was also closed. State Road 204 leads up to the Barker Wildlife area and is used by ranchers and Philmont during the summer season.
Ground crews were being helped by two very large air tankers and four helicopters. Eagle Nest Lake was closed to boating to allow the helos to fill their water buckets without danger to boats. By now 150 structures were listed as threatened.
As Friday progressed so did the fire with estimates reaching 16,354 acres and according to State Forestry 14 non-occupied buildings had been burned. It was now estimated that 296 structures were threatened. Cimarron was put under a mandatory evacuation order at 11:00 a.m. while Colfax County Commissioners met and signed an emergency declaration, in order to get more federal help. Evacuees from Cimarron went to the Raton Convention Center while many stayed with family and friends around the area. Philmont Scout Ranch evacuated all non-essential personnel to Springer due to air quality issues. Highway 64 remained closed and Highway 58 from I-25 to Cimarron was closed as well as Highway 21 from Springer to Cimarron.
With the Type 1 management team in place the number of personnel grew from approximately 250 to 447 which included 10 fire crews, eight helicopters, 24 fire engines aided by eight bulldozers and two water tenders. The number one priority was safety and critical watershed protection. Air quality was also a big issue as the smoke accumulated in the area around Cimarron and Philmont Scout Ranch. By Saturday morning the size of the fire was at 27,290 acres based on infrared photos.
Hot Shot Crews worked on the north side to establish fire lines and containment where possible. Hot shot crews and fire engines worked around Cimarron on structure protection as they could while three hot shot crews worked to protect Webster Lake and the area around Philmont Scout Ranch.
By Sunday morning the fire was estimated at 31,930 acres based on infrared data. According to the press release by the Type 1 management team 511 personnel were on hand battling the blaze. Of concern on Sunday were thunderstorms that were forecast for the area that could produce lightning which might spark more fire or flooding due to heavy rains. The rains came and turned out to be more of a benefit than a hindrance.
The fire had reached the Ponil Fire burn scar which slowed the northerly progression considerably. A mandatory evacuation order was issued for Ute Park residents as the fire flared up on the west side again. State Forestry was showing 296 structures to be threatened with state highways in the area remaining closed.
By Monday afternoon, June 4th, the fire was at 36,664 acres and State Forestry showed 219 structures being threatened. 598 personnel were working the fire with 15 crews, eight helicopters, 29 engines, five bulldozers and nine water tenders. The rain made a huge dent in the fire and allowed crews to make a great deal of progress and finally the fire was listed at 25% containment. Cimarron residents were allowed back in to Cimarron where many thanked the fire fighters for the work they had done to keep the fire out of Cimarron.
As the week wore on firefighting efforts became more concentrated on hot spots and containment. Crews were working to prevent further damage to the water sheds that feed Cimarron water sources. Cimarron was placed under strict water restrictions until the damage to the water supplies can be assessed. Most notably the Cimarroncito Reservoir watershed sustained significant fire damage.
Work in Cimarron Canyon on Highway 64 continues with the New Mexico Department of Transportation placing jersey barriers to help prevent erosion along the highway. Highway 64 remains closed to traffic from Cimarron to Ute Park. Ute Park residents with ID are being allowed back in to Ute Park by weeks end.
By June 6ththe fire was at 36,800 acres and 30% containment with 604 personnel on the fire.
Eagle Nest Lake was reopened to boating Wednesday June 6th, as well as the Valle Vidal Unit which had been closed on the eastern side was also reopened on Wednesday.
As the week turned to weekend fire fighters continued to work hot spots and containment lines with some unburned juniper burning on the interior of the fire creating additional smoke. Both Highway 64 and State Road 204 remain closed to traffic. State Forestry is showing that the high of 614 personnel has dropped to 445 personnel by Saturday with 36,740 acres being burned of which 26,387 acres are on the Philmont Scout Ranch with 77% containment listed by the Type 1 Management team.
Fire fighters will continue to work to prevent damage to the Cimarron water sheds. Mitigation on Highway 64 will continue along with work on dozer lines to help limit the amount of erosion should significant rains make their way into the area.
As the new week begins the mop-up operations will continue and Highway 64 and State Road 204 will remain closed. Ute Park residents will be allowed to travel in and out to the west but 64 east will be closed due to firefighting efforts and fire mitigation efforts. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and has not been determined.
