Fire near Raton Pass

Track Fire Update – 6/13/2011 – 1:30 pm
Posted on June 13, 2011 by Dan Ware
Incident Name: Track Start Date & Time: 6/12/2011 11:48 Start Location: West of Interstate 25 in Raton Pass – 36 55 12.6 104 27 20.29 Cause of Fire: unknown Area Vegetation: pp/pj/oak brush Acres Burned: 2,700 acres (estimated) Ownership(s): private Structures Threatened: yes Structures Burned: none confirmed Evacuations (Y or N & #): yes

Re: NM-N2S-Track

---

Fire is 2700 ac, fire activity is increasing

I-25 remains closed

Re: NM-N2S-Track

---

Fire is 6000+ ac, 2 structures lost

Re: NM-N2S-Track

---

Fire has crossed into CO

Track
INCIDENT UPDATED 3 HRS. AGO

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Unknown
Date of Origin Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location North of Raton, NM
Incident Commander John Pierson

Current Situation
Total Personnel 300
Size 24,034 acres

New Track Fire Evacuation Notice
Incident: Track Wildfire
Released: 1:45 hrs. ago

As a result of increased fire activity the Track Fire has moved south of Horse Mesa prompting a mandatory evacuation for residents located in the area northeast of Raton beginning at the junction of New Mexico Hwy. 72 and New Mexico Hwy. 526 east to Bear Canyon Road. Colfax Sheriff's Department and New Mexico State Police are conducting door to door evacuation notification to those residents.

An evacuation center is currently set up at the Raton Convention Center in Raton, NM. The evacuation center phone number is (575) 445-8679.

For more information on the Track Fire a Fire Information phone line has been established at the Incident Command Post in Raton. For more information on the Track Fire please call (575) 445-5234.

INCIDENT UPDATED 44 MIN. AGO
Approximate Location
36.92 latitude, -104.456 longitude

As of this morning, the New Mexico Incident Management Team took over command of the Track Fire located north of Raton.

The fire grew to 24,034 acres yesterday as RED FLAG conditions along with strong winds from the southwest pushed the fire to the northeast past Sugarite Canyon Park and into Colorado south of Starkville.

The Track Fire is burning primarily on private land and state lands in both New Mexico and Colorado in very steep mountainous terrain making it difficult for firefighters to access. Air support including a DC 10 was utilized yesterday to hold fire north of the community of Raton. The Track Fire prompted an evacuation of approximately 500 people according to New Mexico State Police.

Firefighters will focus today on holding the fire north of the community of Raton and away from the Water Plant. A structure protection group including 20 engines coordinating with the Raton Fire Department will be conducting structure protection in the subdivision just south of the Water Plant.

NOTICE: A public meeting was held today at the Raton High School Gymnasium at noon for any residents affected directly or indirectly by the Track Fire. Another Public Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 at the Raton High School Gymnasium at 12:00 noon.



Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Unknown/under Investigation
Date of Origin Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location 1 Mile North of Raton, NM
Incident Commander John Pierson

Current Situation
Total Personnel 346
Size 24,034 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date Monday June 27th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved 2Timber(grass and understory) FM2, grass, timber understory (PJ and PIPO). Also fuel models 9 (timber)and 8(brush, oak).

Fire Behavior Winds were favorable early in day blowing fire back into itself; late afternoon heating and instability created high fire behavior with running, torching, and crowning.

Significant Events I-25 remains closed; evacuations of neighborhoods continues in northern Raton, Sugarite Canyon and Yankee Canyon. NM IMT2 (J. Pierson) assummed command of the fire at 06:00 this morning.


Outlook
Planned Actions Line construction and point protection of structures in DIV A,Y and Z; engagement of additional resources in DIV B and W.

Growth Potential Extreme

Terrain Difficulty Medium

Remarks A public meeting was held today in Raton and over 300 citizens attended. Another public meeting will be held tomorrow, June 15 at Raton High School Gymnasium at 12:00 noon. Govenor Martinez will visit Track Incident Command Post and attend the strategy meeting at 7:30 p.m Tuesday evening.


Current Weather
Wind Conditions 17 mph NW
Temperature 85 degrees
Humidity 10%

INCIDENT UPDATED 17 MIN. AGO
Approximate Location
36.92 latitude, -104.456 longitude

Fire crews made good progress yesterday on the west and south flanks of the fire. Erratic winds, low humidity, and extremely dry vegetation were all factors that contributed to the extreme fire behavior and rapid fire spread exhibited later in the day in the southeast. This prompted evacuations in the Yankee Canyon area. Be advised, as temperatures cool in the evenings, smoke will settle throughout the community. Please avoid running swamp coolers during heavy smoke inversion and take any necessary health precautions.

Winds are expected to be light today, allowing crews to continue building and reinforcing hand and dozer lines throughout the fire area. Securing and mop-up of the I-25 corridor is a priority for the western edge of the fire. Crews will work to establish anchor points to keep fire from spreading south over Highway 72 as well as keeping the fire north of the water plant. A structure protection group will continue prepping structures in coordination with Raton Fire Chief. Crews on the north end of the fire, primarily in Colorado will be conducting operations with helicopter support to establish fire lines. A contingency group is also located at Raton Pass to assist with any additional activity.

The Track Fire is burning primarily on private land and state lands in both New Mexico and Colorado in very steep mountainous terrain making it difficult for firefighters to access.

The NM Incident Management Team is working in conjunction with New Mexico State Forestry and Colorado State Forest Service, Colfax and Las Animas County Sheriff's Departments, New Mexico Livestock Board, New Mexico State Police, the City of Raton, several local fire departments and other agencies from New Mexico and Colorado in suppression efforts of the Track Fire.

The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the Raton Convention Center for residents affected by the fire.

CLOSURES: Interstate 25 is currently CLOSED at the intersection of I-25 and County Road 72 at Exit 453. I-25 is closed in Colorado at Exit 11. Old Pass Road is closed from the City Limits to the north at Port of Entry. Highway 526 (Sugarite Road) is closed at the junction of 526 and County Road 72. Bartlet Mesa Road is closed at the 2/10 mile marker. Check http://www.nmroads.com/ for road status updates.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Unknown/under Investigation
Date of Origin Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location 1 Mile North of Raton, NM
Incident Commander John Pierson

Current Situation
Total Personnel 346
Size 24,034 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date Monday June 27th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved 2Timber(grass and understory) FM2, grass, timber understory (PJ and PIPO). Also fuel models 9 (timber)and 8(brush, oak).

Fire Behavior Winds were favorable early in day blowing fire back into itself; late afternoon heating and instability created high fire behavior with running, torching, and crowning.

Significant Events I-25 remains closed; evacuations of neighborhoods continues in northern Raton, Sugarite Canyon and Yankee Canyon. NM IMT2 (J. Pierson) assummed command of the fire at 06:00 this morning.

Outlook
Planned Actions Line construction and point protection of structures in DIV A,Y and Z; engagement of additional resources in DIV B and W.

Growth Potential Extreme

Terrain Difficulty Medium

Remarks A public meeting was held today in Raton and over 300 citizens attended. Another public meeting will be held tomorrow, June 15 at Raton High School Gymnasium at 12:00 noon. Govenor Martinez will visit Track Incident Command Post and attend the strategy meeting at 7:30 p.m Tuesday evening.

Current Weather
Wind Conditions 17 mph NW
Temperature 85 degrees
Humidity 10%

INCIDENT UPDATED 8 HRS. AGO
Approximate Location
36.92 latitude, -104.456 longitude

New Mexico Type II Interagency Incident
Management Team

Fire Information Line: 575-445-5234 staffed 7 AM to 10 PM

Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 10:30 PM For Immediate Release

Acres: 25,620 Start Date: June 12, 2011

Cause: under investigation Location: North of Raton, NM and South of Trinidad, CO

Containment: 20% Fuels: Timber

Terrain: steep, rugged Resources: 21 crews, 30 engines, 5 water tenders, 4 dozers

Total personnel: 698 Available air support: 4 helicopters

Road Closure Update: I-25 will reopen at 4:00 a.m., Thursday, June16. Exit 454 and the Point of Entry exit in New Mexico, and Exit 2 in Colorado, will be closed. Traffic is not allowed to stop along the interstate. A 45 mph speed limit will be STRICTLY enforced throughout the area of the interstate impacted by the Track Fire. The public should use extreme caution on the interstate as there will be heavy fire traffic.

Evacuation Update: As of 5:00 p.m. today, June 15, the City of Raton has lifted the evacuation order only in the subdivisions within the city limits of Raton. Residents that are returning should be aware that it is possible that they may be put on a pre-evacuation alert should fire activity change. All remaining evacuations orders remain in place.

Fire Update: Winds were favorable on the south and west side of the fire early in the day which allowed crews to significantly mop-up and secure the burned area along the I-25 corridor. They also made considerable progress with constructing direct fire line and securing the areas near structures on the south side of the fire. All available helicopters and airtankers were utilized to a great extent on the most active areas of the fire.

Late afternoon winds and instable weather created extreme fire behavior where running, torching and crowning was observed on the east side of the fire. The fire made two significant runs to the northeast advancing 300-500 acres. Despite the increased fire activity, firefighters kept the fire from spreading south over Highway 72. Fire personnel will concentrate a considerable amount of resources on the north and east side of the fire tomorrow as a Red Flag Warning is predicted.

ROAD CLOSURES: Old Pass Road is closed from the City Limits to the north at Port of Entry. Highway 526 (Sugarite Road) is closed at the junction of 526 and County Road 72. Bartlet Mesa Road is closed at the 2/10 mile marker. Check http://www.nmroads.com/ for road status updates.

For further information on this fire and others, go to [url=http://www.inciweb.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.inciweb.org[/url]

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Unknown/under Investigation
Date of Origin Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location 1 Mile North of Raton, NM
Incident Commander John Pierson

Current Situation
Total Personnel 698
Size 25,620 acres
Percent Contained 20%
Estimated Containment Date Monday June 27th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved 2 Timber(grass and understory) FM2, grass, timber understory (PJ and PIPO). Also fuel models 9 (timber)and 8(brush, oak).

Fire Behavior Winds were favorable on the south and west side of the fire early in the day; late afternoon heating and unstability created high fire behavior with running, torching and crowning on the east side of the fire.

Significant Events I-25 remains closed; some evacuations of neighborhoods continue in Raton, Sugarite Canyon and Yankee Canyon. There was a 300-500 acre slopover on the east side (DIV Y) of the fire this afternoon.

Outlook
Planned Actions Line construction and point protection of structures and possible burnouts in Divisions B, W and Y.

Growth Potential Extreme

Terrain Difficulty Medium

Remarks Another successful public meeting was held in Raton today, June 15. Acreages by state are: Colorado = 6,558 New Mexico = 18,062

Current Weather
Wind Conditions 22 mph S
Temperature 89 degrees
Humidity 14%