Wildfire closes I-25 over Raton Pass

RATON, N.M. (KRQE) - A wildfire on the New Mexico side of Raton Pass has shut down a section of Interstate 25 between Raton and Trinidad, Colo.

As of 9 a.m. on Monday, NM State Forestry officials estimated the size of the Track Fire to have remained steady at 2,700 acres.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation reports the fire is on the west side of the interstate shutting down both sides of the freeway between mile markers 454.4 and 456.  That's near the northern city limits of Raton.

(Update: I-25 reopened about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16.)

The closure began about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and continues on Monday as of 12 p.m.  The fire has been named the Track Fire due to the railroad tracks running up the canyon to the tunnel at the summit of Raton Pass.  Interstate 25 is still closed in both directions from Raton, NM to Trinidad, Colorado.

It was no immediately clear how the fire is affecting Amtrak operations.  The westbound Chicago-Los Angeles Southwest Chief departed Raton before the fire began. 

It's eastbound counterpart was due into Raton at 4:50 p.m.  A check of the train's status on the Amtrak website said a "service disruption" made arrival and departure information unavailable and listed an Amtrak phone number for additional information.

At 2:30 p.m. on Sunday State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware released this statement:

"The Track Fire is approximately 200 acres and is actively torching and making runs through heavy vegetation. Some spotting to the north of the fire has been observed.

"The fire has forced the closure of Interstate 25 in Raton Pass. The fire is burning near the pavement in some areas.

"As a precautionary measure crews have asked residents in nearby homes to evacuate. I don’t have an 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."

As of 3 p.m. Monday June 13, two structures have been lost.

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Video Credit:  Marty Mayfield/ The Chronicle-News , Trinidad, Colo.

Video by Marty Mayfield, The Chronicle-News, Trinidad, Colo.