From the New Mexico Fire Information website, www.nmfireinfo.com:
New Mexico State Forestry and other local agencies are responding to a fire in the area of Raton Pass, west of Interstate 25. Emergency officials have ordered the evacuation of Northern Raton, north of I-25, and north of County Road 72, Sugarite State Park has also been evacuated.
The Track Fire is approximately 1500-1800 acres acres and is actively torching and making runs through heavy vegetation. Some spotting to the north of the fire has been observed.
As a precautionary measure crews have asked residents in nearby homes to evacuate. No accurate number of homes evacuated at this time. No damage to structures has been reported.
Heavy winds are preventing the use of aircraft at this time.
State Forestry, Raton FD, Angel Fire FD, Folsum FD, the Red River Fire Chasers, Philmont FD and other agencies are responding to the fire.
The fire is burning actively in heavy fuels and rugged terrain, but has not crossed into Colorado at this time.
It is 0 percent contained.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter has been set up at Raton Convention Center.
ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO FIRE:
1. Interstate 25 from mile marker 452 to the Colorado Border in both northbound and southbound directions due to a fire. State police have also closed the road at mile marker 419 to all North bound traffic on the Interstate due to the fire. Emergency personnel are on the scene. Motorists are encouraged to seek accommodations in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, they can also use US 285 to go North bound.
2. US 64/87 at Clayton West bound is closed to traffic due to the fire in Raton. Traffic is being detoured through US 56 to Springer.
