You are very close. Vista Grande is the western point of the main fire. The fire burns over the top of Deer Lake Mesa (good thing is there is a good road for a fire line with west wind). Harlan is likely gone. There are some trail camps in that area just north of 64, but aren't heavily used (this is the driest, often hottest part of the ranch. Dean Cow is likely burned, but relatively usable. That center high point on the north is Six Mile. The North Ponil and Middle Ponil Canyons both burned very heavily in '02. If then the fire moves north any, it is mostly going to be grass. On an easterly tragectory, it's a lot of scrub oak and Ponderosa. It wouldn't surprise me if this burns east then curves north along the base of the mountains.

Hate to see this. Worked several summers out there. Hopefully it stays away from being anything like the Ponil Complex Fire. That one nailed nearly 100k acres.

8,000 Acres 0% containment

Ute Park Fire Colfax County 06/01 7:30 a.m.
JUNE 1, 2018 BY WMASON 0 COMMENTS
This fire, burning on private land off of Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, is currently estimated at 8,000 acres and 0% contained. Approximately 12 unoccupied, non-residential structures at the Philmont Scout Ranch (Cimarroncita area) have been lost in the fire. Another 150 structures remain threatened. The communities of Ute Park and the Village of Cimarron are under voluntary evacuation orders. Hummingbird Lane and the surrounding area has been evacuated. Evacuation centers have been set up at the Eagle Nest Senior Center, the Cimarron Elementary/Middle School, and the Raton Convention Center.
Highway 64, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron is closed, and State Route 204 is closed at Cimarron. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open, but the lake itself is closed for helicopters to fight the fire. Cimarron Canyon State Park is also open. A Type 1 Incident Management Team is expected to arrive later today to take over operations. Currently, there are numerous resources from State Forestry and our local and federal partners working to suppress this fire on the ground with support from 2 very large air tankers (VLAT), 6 heavy air tankers, and 4 helicopters. Red flag conditions are predicted for the fire area today.
Start Date & Time: 05/31/18, 14:10
Start Location: Near Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron
Latitude: 36.551389
Longitude: -105.121125
Cause of Fire: Under investigation
Area Vegetation: Grass and ponderosa pine
Acres Burned: 8,000
Ownership(s): State
Structures Threatened: Yes/150
Structures Burned: 12 non-residential, unoccupied
Evacuations (Y or N & #): Y / Evacuation order in place for Hummingbird Lane and surrounding area. Voluntary evacuations in place for Cimarron.
Containment: 0%
Closures: Highway 64, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron is closed, and State Route 204 is closed at Cimarron.

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The '02 Ponil Complex Fire was directly related to the drowning death a couple years ago.How was it was related?

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How was it related? Just curious.

Nephew and BIL set to go to Philmont end of June

maverick12 said:

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The '02 Ponil Complex Fire was directly related to the drowning death a couple years ago.How was it was related?

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How was it related? Just curious.

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Increased runoff due to a lack of ground cover & soil organic matter, and presence of hydrophobic soils. These conditions would have greatly increased the rate that water rose in the creek.

I have no inside info, just going off what I think would have happened given ursus' description of the conditions following the fire.

https://instagr.am/p/Bje9vOin2_l

That's pretty much it the flash floods that hit that area since the fire are nuts. I had a crew near where the drowning occurred in 04...after a small rain one of the side canyons had a big gulley washer. We could hear it from our camp and the amount of water it was dumping into north ponil creek after such a small storm was insane.

I have to get back to work but this is the best fire map I have seen.

Not to sound like an idiot here, but how has this affected travel to Santa Fe in general? I ask because we are set to go to ABQ for a college visit with my kiddo next month and planned on actually staying at a resort in Santa Fe then driving down to ABQ

Well north and east of Santa Fe. But the closure of the SFNF may make it hard to get into any pretty places in the mountains. Pray for rain

It's a long ways from ABQ or Santa Fe - can't see how your trip would be impacted.

Cimarron just received mandatory evacuation notice.

From Philmont:

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Ute Park Fire Update: June 1, 2018 @ 9:30 a.m.


The Ute Park fire is estimated at 8,000 acres with 0% containment; approximately 12 unoccupied, non-residential, non-program structures at Cimarroncita have been lost. Red flag conditions are predicted for the fire area today.


Currently, there are numerous resources from State Forestry and our local and federal partners working to suppress this fire on the ground with support from 2 very large air tankers (VLAT), 6 heavy air tankers, and 4 helicopters. Additional incident management resources are expected to arrive later today to reinforce operations.



The nearby communities of Ute Park and Cimarron are under a mandatory evacuation order due to air quality, and Philmont full-time staff living in Cimarron have been released to care for their families. Philmont staff are prepared to evacuate base camp if the air quality decreases.


The Philmont management team is working closely with the New Mexico State Police and Incident Command to monitor the situation.

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OldAg92 said:

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Not to sound like an idiot here, but how has this affected travel to Santa Fe in general? I ask because we are set to go to ABQ for a college visit with my kiddo next month and planned on actually staying at a resort in Santa Fe then driving down to ABQ

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Should not affect it at all. The closure is for Santa Fe National Forest. I'm sitting in a cabin several miles north of Pecos Village right now. Just can't acces the actual NF land starting today. Had a spectacular day fishing yesterday though!

FYI KML data that can be overlaid into Google Maps may be available in a day or so

https://www.geomac.gov

Yes, Cimarron is under a mandatory evacuation. Base camp is now on standby. My friends are packed and ready to leave if it comes to it.

ursusguy said:

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Yes, Cimarron is under a mandatory evacuation. Base camp is now on standby. My friends are packed and ready to leave if it comes to it.

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Life has to be protected, then property but this may put a serious monkey wrench into the June treks. I know Philmont is working a 1,000 issues and are focused on the people on property but the uncertainty is just eating me.

I emailed our troop and told them not to call Philmont, that we would pass word when it came down.

Our scouts have worked hard to be prepared and my heart is breaking for Philmont and our crew.

Pooh Ah said:

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I'll never forget during our Ranger training hike in 2011, we were out at Porcupine around dusk when ash started to fall on us and then you could smell the fire. Turned out to be a small fire over in Angel Fire that blew over us, but man that was some eerie stuff.

From GMap4 ON Facebook

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Here is a Google + GIS map for Ute Park Fire in New Mexico. This fire has already burned across the Philmont Scout Camp.

When the map opens it shows the MODIS (circles) and VIIRS (squares) satellite hotspot data. The blue line is the Philmont boundary. There are 20+ GIS overlay layers you can turn on/off and restack.
For the map legend and other tips to help you get the most benefit from the map, please click "Map tips" in the upper left corner.

Map link: https://bit.ly/2LPfd4b

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It is a great map, you can zoom in, see the trails and camps.

Thanks ursusguy! Please keep us updated on this thread if you don't mind. You're connections are appreciated.

Yes, thanks ursus! I am scheduled for trek 30 the same time as Pooh.

Thanks.

Ursus-! In regard to your comment on the Ponil fire and how hot it burned.

I know that often means that too much undergrowth fuel has been allowed to build up. What has been Philmont historic action plan to keeps things in check? Have they had trail crews and others do clearing or do they do any proscribed burning?

Those on Instagram, search #uteparkfire

Sounds like smoke is getting thick at base camp and they are preparing to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter.

They are doing a precautionary evacuation of seasonal staff to Springer starting in about 10 minutes.

I'm hearing that Harlan is gone and the fire is heading over Deer Lake and to Clark's and Sawmill

Satellite Hotsport detection from today's passes of MODIS and VIIRS satellites overlaid on USGS topo.

Latest update from the NM Fire officials:

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Ute Park Fire Colfax County 06/01 2:20 p.m.
JUNE 1, 2018 BY WMASON 0 COMMENTS
The Ute Park fire, burning on private land off of Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, is currently estimated at 16,500 acres and 0% contained. The communities of Ute Park and the Village of Cimarron are under mandatory evacuation orders. There are currently two Red Cross Evacuation Centers, one located at the Eagle Nest Senior Center, and another at the Raton Convention Center. At least 296 structures are threatened. Cimarron Canyon State Park will now be closed in order to keep the roadway open for fire crews. Eagle Nest lake State Park is still open, but the lake is closed for helicopters to fight the fire. Highway 64, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron remains closed, and State Route 204 is closed at Cimarron. There may be other localized road closures in place around the fire. Red flag conditions are in effect until 8:00 p.m. tonight (06/01).

Start Date & Time: 05/31/18, 14:10
Start Location: Near Highway 64 in Ute Park, NM, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron
Latitude: 36.551389
Longitude: -105.121125
Cause of Fire: Under investigation
Area Vegetation: Grass and ponderosa pine
Acres Burned: 16,500
Ownership(s): State
Structures Threatened: Yes/296
Structures Burned: 12 non-residential, unoccupied
Evacuations (Y or N & #): Y / Evacuation order in place for Hummingbird Lane and surrounding area. Voluntary evacuations in place for Cimarron.
Containment: 0%
Closures: Highway 64, between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron is closed, and State Route 204 is closed at Cimarron. There may be other localized road closures in place around the fire.

Wendy Mason
Wildfire Prevention & Communications Coordinator
New Mexico State Forestry
wendy.mason@state.nm.us

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