Blue Fire May 21 2024 Evening Update

The Village of Ruidoso is providing the latest update on the Blue Fires based on recent aerial observations. The Blue Fire has not shown any growth and remains at 0.5 acres. Meanwhile, the Blue 2 Fire is holding steady at 45 acres.

Fire Management Strategy

The overall strategy for the Blue 2 Fire is to continue monitoring while allowing it to take its natural course as much as possible. Due to the remote location and severe terrain, direct engagement is currently unsafe. Fire managers are working to establish a safe perimeter for crews to contain the wildfire effectively.

Key Points:

• Blue Fire: No growth, remains at 0.5 acres.

• Blue 2 Fire: Holding steady at 45 acres.

• Visibility: Smoke may still be visible from Ruidoso and surrounding areas.

Ecological Importance

In managing wildfires within designated wilderness areas, the objective is to allow the fires to play their natural role in the ecosystem. This approach helps restore the landscape and wildlife to more natural conditions and prevents the occurrence of more extreme fires in the future. The Lincoln National Forest is a fire-adapted ecosystem that relies on such natural processes.

Actions Taken

While allowing the fire to progress naturally, crews are prepared to take necessary actions to protect private land, infrastructure, and natural resources if the wildfire threatens values adjacent to the wilderness areas. Continuous monitoring by air and ground resources helps predict fire behavior and spread rates.

For more information and updates on the Blue Fires, please visit the following resources:

• Facebook: Lincoln National Forest

• NM Fire Info: www.NMFireInfo.com

• InciWeb: Blue Fires Incident Information

Stay safe and informed!