Philmont Scout Ranch, Fire Danger Information Page
Fire Danger – Extreme
June 11, 2011
To: Philmont Scout Ranch Staff and Participants
From: Mark Anderson, Director of Program
Subject: Changes in Fire Restrictions
The Fire Danger status on Philmont Scout Ranch has been established as Extreme.
This is the result of continued low humidity, strong winds, warm temperatures and low levels of moisture during the winter and spring.
Extreme means that fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high danger class. Every fire has the potential to become large. Expect extreme erratic behavior. NO outdoor burning should take place in areas with extreme fire behavior. Fire restrictions will be in place.
Notice of fire restrictions status will be posted at Logistics, Welcome Center, Philmont Training Center Bulletin Boards and Backcountry Staffed Camps. Everyone should be watchful of potential fires. Report fires to Logistics at Philmont Extension 1239 or call 911.
Fire Restrictions
• Open fires and fireworks are prohibited.
• No crew campfires in the backcountry. All crews must use stoves for cooking. The stove should be located in or adjacent to the fire ring.
• Smoking is restricted to safe designated areas:
1. PTC – Curtis Multiplex Pavilion
2. PTC – Staff Area behind shower house.
3. CHQ – Advisor Lounge Smoking Room.
4. CHQ – Dining Fly behind the Silver Sage Staff Activities Center at the edge of the fence line.
5. CHQ – Dining Fly near the Staff Fitness Center.
6. Cattle Headquarters – Designated area.
7. Designated fire ring at Staff and Trail Camps. No smoking along the trail.
8. Inside a motor vehicle equipped with an ash tray.
• Program restrictions:
o No program campfires. Backcountry Camps will use kerosene lanterns at program campfire locations.
o Use of fire places is prohibited.
o Use of Tabasco Donkey water heater systems is prohibited.
o During red flag warnings – use of wood burning stoves is prohibited.
o Wood fires at Chuck Wagon, Mexican Dinner and Cobbler Delights are prohibited.
• Black Smith Forges, black powder shooting (in a designated cleared area), use of propane and use of charcoal at designated areas is permitted.
Carson National Forest – Stage I Fire Restrictions
Effective: June 10, 2011
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, wood or charcoal burning stove fire except within a developed recreation site in grills.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fire work or other pyrotechnic device.
• Gas and propane stoves, lanterns or heating devices are permitted.
There are no fires at Philmont at this time. The Philmont staff and management remain vigilant. Due to the low moisture conditions at Philmont, fire restrictions are in place that include the prohibition of campfires by crews.
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 is prohibited; and all wood burning stoves may not be used during red flag warnings.
The "Track" Fire
The “Track” fire is burning in the Raton Pass vicinity. This is 50 miles northeast of Philmont along the New Mexico/Colorado border. The fire has burned approximately 27,792 acres with no growth and is 95% contained. The firefighting efforts are essentially in a mop-up stage at this time. The fire and smoke is moving north and east—away from Philmont. It is causing minimal travel disruptions. Interstate 25 at Raton Pass is opened as is the rail line used by Amtrak.
Pacheco Fire
The Pacheco Fire is burning northeast of Santa Fe. It started Saturday June 18 and has currently burned 3,800 acres. Lower winds today are expected which should help the firefighting efforts. Smoke from the fire has been visible at Philmont but is not causing any air quality problems at this time.
Smoke
Philmont has not been affected by smoke from the Track fire. Light smoke from the 527,774 acre Wallow fire in southeast Arizona (approximately 400 miles away) has been present over the past 17 days although there was only one significant day of smoke at Philmont. No air quality alerts have been issued for Philmont or the surrounding area.
Transportation
Highway:
I-25 was reopened north of Raton, New Mexico early Thursday June 16. The 45-mph speed limit through Raton Pass has been lifted and is now 65-mph.
Rail:
The rail line used by Amtrak has reopened north of Raton, New Mexico. Trains have been arriving in Raton substantially on time causing no disruptions to crews.