Cimarron residents may return, but threat remains

Progress made against Ute Park Fire, but protecting water supply still a challenge

At midday Monday, Damian Casias checked the condition of the water that keeps the village of Cimarron alive. So far, so good. For now. “We went at 12:30 [p.m.],” said Casias, the public works supervisor for the small Northeastern New Mexico town, “and it was coming in clear.”

Keeping it clear will be the challenge for as long as the Ute Park Fire threatens Cimarron — but just as crucial, the allimportant Cimarroncito Reservoir, 11 miles away.

Although Cimarron residents were allowed back in their homes Monday as crews made progress on the wildfire, officials acknowledged the shadow of devastation remains as long as the reservoir — the main source of water for 1,100 people — is threatened. And at a community meeting in Angel Fire, officials said the reservoir had been affected.

The Cimarroncito feeds the town’s water supply, with the help of a cement dam about a quarter-mile below. From there, gravity pushes water through 11 miles of piping to Cimarron, Casias said.

“Right now, we are in pretty good shape,” he said. “We’re checking more frequently.”

Late last week, Cimarron enacted Stage 4 water restrictions, which include prohibitions on irrigating turf and ground cover, and washing vehicles, among many other stipulations.

“That’s where our concern is; the water,” said village Councilor Laura Gonzales. “That’s why we’ve placed Stage 4 restrictions. Is it drinkable? Absolutely. We just don’t know the long range yet.”

Gonzales said town leaders don’t have a reading on the extent of the damage the fire may have had on the reservoir, though state Forestry Division officials said in a news release crews are working to limit its effects on the Cimarroncito and Urraca watersheds.

The fire, which erupted Thursday afternoon, came extraordinarily close to brushing Cimarron late last week, Gonzales said. As of midday Monday, the state Forestry Division reported about 32,000 acres had been consumed, with about 23 percent containment. About 500 firefighters are taking on the blaze, which burned 14 outbuildings on Philmont Scout Ranch property.

But Gonzales said the picture was considerably brighter than only a few days before, when the fire was easily visible to town residents before they were ordered to leave.

“There was a point on Friday when I just stopped looking out the window,” Gonzales said. “I just walked outside and tried to take a deep breath.”

Not everyone in the area, however, is getting to go home. Ute Park, about 13 miles from Cimarron, and all private property access from N.M. 204, remained closed and under evacuation orders.

Brief rain showers Sunday helped crews deal with the fire, though officials said dry weather expected later this week will keep them wary.

“Cimarron is considered safe,” Gonzales said, “but there’s a lot that could happen in the next days and weeks — winds, stuff like that. … Everyone was extremely relieved to come back. We’ve gotten so many messages and phone calls, people who are grateful and thankful.”

Meanwhile, Santa Fe National Forest officials began a fight against a small, lightning-caused fire about 1½ miles east of the Glorieta Lookout. One engine crew and a helicopter were on the scene, with the engine staying overnight to monitor the fire.