Residents of the southwestern part of the United States faced a summer of grueling and intense wildfire. These blazes affected several major Scout camps, including premier high-adventure base Philmont Scout Ranch along with Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch, part of the Santa Fe Trail Council.
On June 13, a lightning strike ignited the White's Peak Fire only fourteen miles outside of Cimarron, New Mexico and only about three miles from Philmont Scout Ranch. Shortly afterwards, emergency crews from across the state and elsewhere began battling the fire, trying to contain the blazes and keep them away from Philmont and nearby electrical transmission lines. As the wildfire came closer to the southern border of the ranch, leaders decided to close the entire southern portion of Philmont in order to ensure the safety of the Scouts, Scouters, Venturers and staff members in the event the flames could not be contained.
Philmont Associate Director for Program Owen McCulloch told an Albuquerque TV station the ranch's management decided to close off the southern third of the entire property. "It's precautionary because of some of the smoke we have had in the area," McCulloch was quoted as saying. Treks and staff members were redirected to the northern part of the base to continue operations from a safe distance. While having to make multiple changes to programs and itineraries, campers were still able to fully enjoy the Philmont experience.
Twelve days later, the White's Peak Fire was almost fully contained. The fire had burned across the Pecos Wilderness, destroying 1,275 acres of land. Local newspapers wrote that the flames came to a quarter-mile away from the ranch's border on the previous Wednesday. With the fire out, operations returned to normal at Philmont. While the fire ravaged the nearby countryside, some are seeing this event as an opportunity to teach Scouts about wildfire. McCulloch told local news, "As with anything else that might affect us in our operations, it's good to fall back to the Scout motto of 'Be Prepared'."
Unfortunately for the BSA, Philmont was not the only place in danger of wildfires in June. On Wednesday, June 19, the East Peaks Fire was started by another lightning strike 10 miles southwest of Walsenburg, Colorado and just miles away from the Santa Fe Trail Council camp, Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch. Despite the efforts of several fire departments to control it, the fire spread quickly across thousands of acres. By nightfall, smoke from the fire was spotted from the camp. According to the council's website, the first week of camp was in session with over 265 Scouts, adult leaders and camp staff members present at the ranch. The Denver Post reported that the spotting was thanks to an alert scout who then told leaders after noticing the smoke in the distance during the afternoon flag ceremony.
After staff had visual confirmation on the fast-moving fire that was making it's way toward the camp, plans for evacuating the property were put into action. Before long, the entire ranch had been safely evacuated. Michael Stewart, executive director of the Santa Fe Trail Council told the Denver Post, "Twenty minutes later, we were all evacuated out. Whatever you had in your pockets, that's all you were allowed to leave with." Walsenburg High School was opened as an American Red Cross shelter where the evacuees were able to stay at until Scouts could return home. The council decided to close Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch for the remainder of the 2013 camping season but is committed to reopening the camp by 2014.
From one scout ranch to another, the BSA has really been put to the test when it comes to wildfires and fire safety this past summer. Thankfully, no Scouts have been harmed as a result of the wildfires and there have been few damages reported from the camps. Furthermore, these events will hopefully bring in new and better ways to, as our motto says, "Be Prepared".
Dylan Clark Lodge Ledger