June 16 – Cottonwood Fire Daily Update

June 16, 2018 by t1swimt 0 Comments

Firefighters Continue Efforts to Contain Cottonwood Fire

Cottonwood Fire – June 16, 2018 Daily Update

Acres: 310 acres

Percent Containment: 15%
Start Date: June 14, 2018

Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Jurisdiction: Private

Fuels: Grass, brush, timber
Origin Location: Vermejo Ranch area, Raton, NM, 12 miles north of Cimarron, NM
Latitude: 36.44 35
Longitude: -104 55.07
Resources: 5 crews, 2 helicopter, 4 engines, 5 overhead

This new fire is burning on private land in Raton, NM, 12 miles north of Cimarron. The fire is estimated at 310 acres and located in the Vermejo Park Ranch area of Colfax County. No structures are threatened at this time. Multiple ground and air resources have been called in to suppress this fire.

Yesterday firefighters continued to construct a hand line around the Cottonwood Fire. Hot and dry conditions contributed to the increase in fire size. A Type 1 Blackhawk and a Type 3 helicopter assisted firefighters, dropping buckets of water on burning fuel. Bucket drops will continue throughout the day. Todays expected precipitation may reduce fire activity; however, if precipitation does not develop, moderate growth could occur.

NM Road 204 remains closed from Mile Marker 0 – 10 to ensure firefighter and public safety.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place for the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not. It is always dangerous to fly over or near a wildfire. If you fly, someone could die! Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones/ and http://knowbeforeyoufly.org, for more information on drones and wildfires.

Use the 5-3-1 visibility method to protect your health from smoke: https://bit.ly/2jJwwd7. Air Monitoring Resources are available at https://bit.ly/2tm1VG6, https://bit.ly/2sqcLJ4.

Cottonwood Fire Info: https://nmfireinfo.com/ and https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5846/

Colfax County Emergency Management Information: https://bit.ly/2LbNdXh

NM Roads: http://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html?
Public Line: (505) 309-0751 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m