Crews battle growing blaze near Eagle Nest
Crews were battling a wildfire Thursday in Ute Park, a small community between Eagle Nest and Cimarron in Colfax County, that had rapidly spread from about 150 acres to nearly 1,200 in just a couple of hours.
By 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Eagle Nest Volunteer Fire Department reported that all the water from nearby ponds had been used up to douse the flames, according to the Taos News, and air tankers were pulling water from Eagle Nest Lake. The lake has been closed to help with firefighting efforts.
The National Weather Service sent out an online alert saying southwest winds were driving the fire quickly to the north and east, and that evacuations were ordered for residents of Ute Park and nearby communities.
“Heavy smoke is impacting the area and will continue to expand in coverage toward the east through the evening,” the alert said. The cause of the fire was unknown. A news release issued by the New Mexico State Forestry Division said, “Approximately 50 structures are threatened.”
According to census data, the population of Ute Park is just over 70 people.
The fire was reported around 2 p.m. Thursday. The Angel Fire Fire Department reported on its Facebook page that it had sent three crews to the site of the fire and that U.S. 64 had been closed in both directions for about 25 miles between Eagle Nest and Cimarron.
According to the Taos News, crews from Raton and the Philmont Scout Ranch, as well as state crews from farther south, also were heading to the scene.
The Red Cross had been contacted, Colfax County Undersheriff Leonard Baca Jr. told the Taos News, and an evacuation center was planned to be set up in Eagle Nest.