Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 4, 2024
The Blue 2 Fire, located 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, started on May 16, 2024, and has burned 7,495 acres with 69% containment. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is arriving today and will begin their assessment for emergency soil stabilization. Containment is progressively increasing with firefighters working hard at mopping up the remaining uncontained areas of the fire perimeter. Due to ongoing firefighting activities, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted in the interest of public safety. The fire was caused by lightning and is being managed by 489 personnel with various resources.
DETAILS
Acres: 7,495
Start Date: May 16, 2024
Location: 8 miles North of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area
Cause: Lightning
Personnel: 489
Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush
Containment: 69%
Resources: 8 crews | 14 engines | 6 helicopters | 3 bulldozers | 7 Water Tenders
Highlights: A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is arriving today and will begin their assessment for emergency soil stabilization. The objective of the BAER program is to determine the need for and prescribe and implement emergency treatments on federal lands to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire or to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation of natural and cultural resources.
Operations: Containment is progressively increasing with firefighters working hard at mopping up the remaining uncontained areas of the fire perimeter. Suppression repair work has started in the surrounding areas of the fire where heavy equipment and fire crews put in contingency lines. Some large fuels may continue to smolder, but perimeter growth is not expected. Fire managers are working together with resource advisors, the BAER team and the City of Ruidoso. The evacuation levels have been reduced, but the areas are still being monitored by law enforcement to ensure that only fire personnel and residents can be in the area.
Weather: Low relative humidity was experienced again today, coupled with westerly winds. The hot and windy pattern is forecast to stay throughout Wednesday. Northwest winds will be experienced today, which will bring in more moisture. Thursday is predicted to bring higher humidity and thunderstorms around the fire area.
Smoke: Minimal smoke was produced by the fire. Surrounding communities will see good air. Transported smoke from other active fires in upwind states or Mexico may occasionally create hazy skies. The interactive smoke map can still be found at fire.airnow.gov/
Closures: Due to ongoing firefighting activities, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted in the interest of public safety. The Forest closure order will continue to remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area.
Evacuations: The Village of Capitan, Enchanted Forest, and Alto communities are no longer in the “Ready” status. The Cora Dutton, Ranchman’s Camp, Sun Valley, and Sierra Vista communities are now in a “Ready” status. The Villa Madonna, Bonito Lake, Loma Grande, and Nogal Canyon communities are now in a “Set” status, and all “Go” Evacuation notices have been lifted. For an interactive evacuation map go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs
Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones. Find the TFR at tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/
June 4, 2024, Blue 2 Fire Evacuation Map per Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3
Original post here
Important Links
Fire Restrictions: Lincoln National Forest Alerts
Smoke Outlook: Smoke Forecast
Forest Closures: Lincoln National Forest Alerts
Road Closures: New Mexico Roads
Evacuations: Call (575) 336-8600 or visit Lincoln County Evacuations
Ready, Set, Go Status: New Mexico Ready, Set, Go
Related Information
June 4 Blue 2 Fire Daily Update.pdf (335.61 KB)
June 4 Blue 2 Fire Evacuation Map.pdf (5.33 MB)
Stay informed and stay safe.
For the latest evacuation information, please visit the Lincoln County website.
For information on Ready, Set, Go Status definitions, visit the New Mexico Fire Prevention Programs page.
The Village of Ruidoso is committed to keeping the community informed and safe during this challenging time. Please stay tuned for further updates and adhere to all safety guidelines and evacuation notices.
Blue Fire Information
Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3
Fire Information Phone Number: (575) 386-5077
Media Phone Number: (575) 386-5108
Fire Information: www.linktr.ee/BlueFire.2024
