Fire Information, Air Quality and Travel Delays

Updated July 28, 2011, 11:30 a.m. MDT

There are no fires on Philmont at this time.

The Ranch is complying with all state and national fire restrictions. We have been in contact with State Forestry Officials to review our emergency action plans. Philmont Scout Ranch will continue to monitor all conditions to be prepared for all emergencies. In the past few days, several small “spot fires” (single trees or shrubs) have been identified, quickly contained, and extinguished; the cause of each of these fires has been due to lightning.

Burn Ban

Philmont is currently at Fire Danger Level 5, Extreme Fire Danger. Open fires and fireworks are prohibited; no crew campfires are allowed in the backcountry; smoking is restricted to enclosed or designated areas; use of fireplaces and wood burning stoves is prohibited.

Valle Vidal

The Ville Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest reopened to the public on 7/22/2011! Philmont staff have returned to Seally Canyon, Ring Place and Whiteman Vega camps. Regular program resumed at these camps beginning 7/25/2011. Conditions are improving, but Extreme Fire Danger notices remain posted and we have recorded only 69% of our average rainfall for this time of year.

The Las Conchas Wildfire – 12 miles SW of Los Alamos, NM

Most recent fire information is from 7/28/2011, 10 a.m.

As of Saturday, July 23, a National Incident Management Team (NIMO) took over management of the Las Conchas fire suppression efforts from the Northern Rockies National Incident Management Team. The NIMO Team will continue management of the Las Conchas fire and assigned resources until the fire is declared contained. The fire has been divided into four branches and local fire suppression resources from the ranger districts, Bandelier National Mounment, and Valles Caldera National Preserve will form Task Forces of firefighters, engines and water tenders. Each Branch will continue to mop-up hot spots, patrol the fire perimeter, and complete remaining fireline suppression rehabilitation.

There are now 200 personnel on the fire, the total burn area has reached 156,593 acres and the fire is estimated to be 95% contained.

Pacheco Fire - Santa Fe National Forest

Most recent fire information is from 7/23/2011. The Pacheco Fire is burning northeast of Santa Fe, about 2 miles north of the Santa Fe Ski Basin. The fire has been turned back to the local district and is in a monitor status. Rehabilitating the suppression lines continued, returning them to a more natural state, preparing them for seeding and preventing their future use as trails. In addition, the removal of equipment and supplies from the forest continued.

The fire has been turned back to the local district and is in a monitor status. Rehabilitating the suppression lines continued, returning them to a more natural state, preparing them for seeding and preventing their future use as trails. In addition, the removal of equipment and supplies from the forest continued. The fire is reported at 85% contained.

The Track Fire - NE of Raton, NM

Most recent fire information is from 6/29/2011, 9:00 a.m. The Track fire has reached 100% containment. Crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire area for the next few days.

Pueblano Fire - Philmont Scout Ranch, NM

Most recent fire information is from 7/8/2011, 2:30 p.m. At approximately 9 p.m. on 7/6/2011, a storm system moved over parts of Philmont and surrounding areas. Lightning strikes were tracked, and a single fire was sighted near Philmont’s property border on Wilson Mesa by staff at Head of Dean camp. As of 7/7/2011, 1:30 a.m. Philmont Fire Department wildland fire units on site reported the fire at 100% contained by fire lines; total fire area approximately 5 acres, roughly half on Philmont and half on state land. Firefighters remained on site throughout the night to maintain the fire line, and continue mop-up activities. As of 7/8/2011, 2:30 p.m., the fire was declared 100% contained and 100% extinguished; all fire crews have been removed from the site, and we will continue to monitor for any flare-ups or hot spots for several days.

Staff were moved back into Pueblano and Rich Cabins camps the evening of 7/7/2011, and programs resumed in those camps on 7/8/2011.

Smoke – Air quality is currently GOOD

Philmont operations have not been affected by smoke from the regional fires. The Ranch monitors air quality and will modify operations should conditions change due to increased levels of smoke.

With wildfires continuing to burn in our area, Philmont Scout Ranch may have the possibility of Air Quality Concerns. When smoke is present the index will normally be in the Moderate Level. The cautionary statement for Moderate states: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

When smoke is present in the evening and early morning hours the smoke will settle in the valleys and we can move to the next higher air quality index: “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Level”. The cautionary statement for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” states: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals and aggravation of heart or lung disease. Prolonged or heavy exertion should be reduced during this index level.

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Remember: if visibility is 10 miles and up, the air quality is Good; six to nine miles, air quality is Moderate; three to five miles, air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; one and a half to two and a half miles, air quality is Unhealthy; one to one and a quarter miles, air quality is Very Unhealthy; and one mile or less, air quality is Hazardous.

Transportation

Highway:

Los Conchos/Los Alamos traffic - As of 7/5/2011, 10:40 PM, NM State Highway 4 has reopened in the area of the Los Alamos fire. NM Hwy 502 westbound into Los Alamos is closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification

Pacheco Fire traffic/Santa Fe - As of 7/25/2011, New Mexico Route 475 is closed east of Ten Thousand Waves near the Hyde Park area at mile marker 5. New Mexico Route 592 is closed near Tesuque area and Forest Road 102. New Mexico Route 63 is closed in the Pecos Canyon at mile marker 12.

Rail:

There are currently no railroad delays or disruptions.

Check the NM Roads website at http://nmroads.com/ for current travel advisories and restrictions.