Wildfire has burned over 57 square miles
UTE PARK, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters anticipating a return to dangerous weather conditions are clearing containment lines around a northern New Mexico wildfire that has burned 57.2 square miles (148. sq. kilometers) of forest and threatened two rural communities.
Cimarron residents were allowed Monday to return home but smaller Ute Park on the other side of the fire remains evacuated.
A storm Sunday slowed the fire’s growth but the fire’s incident management team says fire activity is expected to increase this week due to a high pressure system building from the south.
Crews have containment lines around 25 percent of the fire’s perimeter. Nearly 600 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the fire.
The fire started Thursday, burning 14 outbuildings on the Philmont Scout Ranch. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
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