The Blue 2 Fire has expanded to 2,800 acres. Firefighters, including large air tankers, are focusing on the eastern side. A public meeting will be held tonight, May 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Branch Community College (709 Mechem Drive). Residents are encouraged to attend for updates and questions. Stay informed via the Watch Duty app.

The Blue 2 Fire in the White Mountain Wilderness has grown to 1,478 acres, fueled by dead trees from the 2012 Little Bear fire. Crews are working day and night with air support as weather allows. Evacuations are in effect for Bonito Lake Rd and Forest Service Roads 108 and 107, with warnings for nearby subdivisions. An emergency shelter is set up at Capitan Fairgrounds. A public meeting will be held on May 24, 2024, at 7 PM at ENMU-Ruidoso.

The Blue 2 Fire in White Mountain Wilderness, Lincoln National Forest, Lincoln County, NM, has affected 1,477.54 acres and remains active. Evacuation orders (Level 3) are in place for Bonito Lake Rd and Forest Service Roads 108 and 107. Evacuation warnings (Level 2) include Villa Madonna, Sierra Vista, and Sun Valley Subdivisions. Evacuation advisories (Level 1) are for the Angus Area. An evacuation reception center is set up at Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

A public meeting hosted by Lincoln National Forest to discuss the ongoing Blue 2 Fire will take place on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Branch Community College, 709 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, NM. Engage with representatives, learn about fire management and voice concerns. Residents' participation is encouraged.

The Blue Fire, caused by lightning on May 17, continues to burn at 0.5 acres in the White Mountain Wilderness. Crews are assessing trails for containment lines, and a closure order is in effect for portions of the 107 Road and the South Fork Campground. The Blue 2 Fire holds at 48 acres. Light smoke is visible, but significant community impact is not expected. More details are available on InciWeb and NM Fire Info.

The Blue 2 Fire remains at 48 acres in the White Mountain Wilderness, burning in an area affected by the 2012 Little Bear fire. Command will transfer to the Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team on May 23. Crews are assessing trails and roadways for containment lines. Access to parts of the National Forest wilderness is restricted. Light smoke is visible, but significant community impact is not expected.

In response to the ongoing Blue 2 wildfire, the U.S. Forest Service has issued an area closure order for all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within and around the White Mountain Wilderness, from NFSR 107 and Big Bonito Trail #36, to Aspen Trail #35, Crest Trail #25, Rodamaker Trail #20, and back to NFSR 107. This closure is essential to protect firefighter personnel and the public, as suppression tactics actively manage the wildfire.

The Blue Fire remains at 0.5 acres with no growth, while the Blue 2 Fire holds at 45 acres. The strategy is to monitor the Blue 2 Fire, allowing it to follow its natural course due to unsafe conditions for direct engagement. This approach aligns with managing fires in designated wilderness areas, supporting the natural ecosystem. Continuous monitoring ensures the protection of nearby land and resources. More details are available on NM Fire Info and InciWeb.

Based on aerial observations, the Blue Fire remains at 0.5 acres, while the Blue 2 Fire has spread to 45 acres as of May 20, 2024. The remote location and severe terrain prevent direct engagement, so alternate containment strategies are in place. Smoke is visible from Ruidoso and nearby areas. The fires are being monitored to protect private land and resources while allowing them to play their natural role in the wilderness.

The Blue and Blue 2 Fires, caused by lightning on May 17 in the White Mountain Wilderness, are being closely monitored. The Blue Fire remains stable, while the Blue 2 Fire has spread to 10 acres. Due to remote and rugged terrain, direct containment is unsafe. Efforts focus on maintaining safe boundaries and protecting nearby resources. Smoke may be visible from Ruidoso and surrounding areas. More updates are available via the incident weblink

The Village of Ruidoso is monitoring the Blue Fires, which may grow due to red flag conditions. Detected on May 17 in the White Mountain Wilderness, these fires cover approximately 0.5 acres. The strategy is to allow natural spread while protecting private land and resources. Smoke and aircraft activity will be noticeable. Stay updated via http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmlnf-blue-fire for more information.

The Village of Ruidoso, NM, has implemented Level II fire restrictions effective immediately on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Noon. These additional fire protections will remain in effect until officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

Prescribed burns on the Smokey Bear Ranger District in the Lincoln National Forest will tentatively begin on September 11 and continue through September 22, 2023. Work will take place on the Brazel Push, the Smokey Bear Admin site, and the Jack’s Peak East unit. Operations will cease or be canceled on short notice if it is determined that conditions are not optimal.

Crews from the Smokey Bear Ranger District are finishing work on the West Mountain Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire that began on August 3, 2023. The completed work is part of long-term goals in forest land management and wildfire mitigation efforts in the Lincoln National Forest. This is the final update on the West Mountain Fire unless there are any breaking developments.

The Village of Ruidoso returns to Level 1 fire restrictions effective immediately on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. Fire danger ratings and regulations are subject to weather and climate conditions. The Village of Ruidoso will notify the public immediately of any changes. Learn more about the current protections in place.

The Lincoln National Forest has increased the fire danger rating from “moderate” to “high,” effective June 22, 2023. The measure is part of ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire risk in the area. These precautions are essential in preventing wildfires.

Ruidoso firefighters Anthony Franks and Tony Nanz were honored with awards for their heroic actions in the April 2022 McBride Fire. Alec Davis also received the Fire Safety Commendation Award for his service fighting active wildfires in Texas and California.

FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) will be stationed in various locations through early October to help eligible New Mexico residents apply for disaster assistance whose homes or personal property were damaged by wildfires and/or subsequent flooding directly related to the burn scars. No appointments are necessary to visit a DRC. However, the fastest and easiest way to apply for federal disaster assistance is online at: disasterassistance.gov/.

The Village of Ruidoso has been working with regional and state partners to help recovery efforts in Gavilan Canyon after the McBride Fire. The fire burned through Gavilan Canyon into the Eagle Creek drainage in early April 2022.

The Cienegita Fire, located approximately four miles northwest of the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, has maintained 37 acres. Crews are making excellent progress in containing the fire at a 56% containment. There are currently no Ruidoso neighborhoods in any phase of the READY, SET, GO evacuation status.