McBride Fire Update: April 15, 9:26 AM
McBride Fire – April 15, 2022 Morning Update
A Public Meeting will be held on Facebook Saturday evening at 6:00 PM
Acres: 6,167
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 0%
Start Date: April 12, 2022
Location: Gavilan Canyon within Ruidoso
Fuels: Timber, brush, dry grasses
Structures burned: 207 primary structures, multiple outbuildings
Fatalities: 2
Highlights: Yesterday favorable weather permitted coordinated operations between helicopters with bucket drops and ground crews on the McBride Fire. This enabled firefighters to focus on extinguishing specific areas of heat and secure extensive fire line. Local crews that worked on the first days of initial attack were released and replaced with fresh crews working under the Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 which took command of the fire yesterday morning. A virtual public meeting will be hosted on the McBride Fire Facebook page at 6:00 p.m. Saturday 4/16.
Operations: Today firefighters will continue efforts to extinguish and mop up hotspots on the southwest section of the fire. Crews have been working to ensure that the area will be safe for utility work restoration and to ensure residents can return as soon as possible. Dozers and ground crews will continue to work on scouting and constructing line along the rugged north/northeast edge of the fire. Hotshot crews will focus on the east and southeast sides of the fire to construct and secure lines to keep the fire from making runs back towards the Village. Fire activity is expected to increase today due to warmer drier weather and gusty winds.
Evacuations: Moon Mountain Area: High Loop, Lupin, Starlight etc.; Gavilan Canyon: From Highway 70 to Lower Eagle Creek; East of Hull: McBride, Snowcap, Timberline, Fawn Ridge etc. Homestead Acres/Lower Eagle Creek; Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates, Deer Valley, Deer Park, and Alto East of Flute Player. The Ruidoso Convention Center is open to evacuees.
Safety: More evacuations are possible. Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews safe access the fire. Parts of the Village remain without electricity and gas. PNM, Otero Electric and Zia Natural Gas are working to restore power. Trees and power lines remain down in much of the Village. Please watch for animals that have been released or escaped. Prepare yourself and your family with a go-bag. Visit ready.gov for more information on evacuation preparation.
Weather: Clear, temperatures upper 60s, humidity 7%, winds sustained 5-15 mph gusts to 35 mph. A red flag warning has been issued for this afternoon by the National Weather service.
Restrictions/Closures: Closures are in place at Gavilan Canyon from Meander to Highway 48 and Warrior Drive from Hull to Gavilan Canyon. Hull Road remains open but roads east of Hull from Warrior to Lower Eagle Creek like Snowcap, McBride, Timberline etc. remain closed. Road closures are being adjusted based on fire activity.
Smoke: Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.
Fire Information: Public 505-356-2636 Media 505-445-8278
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8061/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McBrideFire2022/
NM Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/
Email: 2022.mcbride@firenet.gov
