Lincoln National Forest officials have raised the fire danger rating to 'very high' and will implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions starting May 30 at 8 a.m. due to increased fire danger. These restrictions, applying to all three districts, prohibit activities such as igniting fires, smoking outside, and using equipment that could spark a fire. Exemptions include specific uses of LPG-fueled stoves and smoking in enclosed spaces. Violation of these restrictions can lead to fines and imprisonment. For details and maps, visit the New Mexico Fire Information website.

Firefighters are reinforcing firelines around the Blue 2 Fire, using various tactics, including handlines, dozer lines, and removing hot spots along the 107D road. Efforts include working south from Bonito Creek Campground, constructing lines east of Granite Knob, and improving access above Ski Apache. Smokey Bear Hotshots are securing control lines and removing hazard trees in Division F. Stay updated via official channels.

Firefighters are actively working to fully suppress the Blue 2 Fire, which started on May 16 and has burned 7,402 acres north of Ruidoso. With 643 personnel involved, efforts include hand ignition near Bonito Creek Campground, setting up sprinklers, and using bulldozers to build firelines. Smoke will be visible due to ongoing fire activity. For the latest updates on closures and evacuations, visit the Lincoln County website.

The Blue 2 Wildfire remains active. Weather conditions are hot and dry. Hotshot crews are igniting fuels near Bonito Creek Campground and setting up sprinklers at Tanbark Canyon Rd. and 107 Rd. Crews are constructing and reinforcing fire lines on Soldier Mountain and near Loma Grande. In Villa Madonna, sprinklers are in place, and aircraft have dropped retardant. Southwest crews are using heavy equipment to build lines from Buck Mountain to the Crest Trail. Stay updated via the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page and the Lincoln County OES.

Since its inception on May 16, 2024, caused by a lightning strike, the wildfire has expanded to 7,178 acres, situated approximately 8 miles north of Ruidoso. Resources employed include 533 personnel, 10 crews, 32 engines, 6 helicopters, 6 bulldozers, and 5 Water Tenders. Efforts include clearing debris and protecting structures. Dry conditions continue to challenge the suppression efforts.

Firefighting teams have enclosed Villa Madonna with containment lines and are setting up hose lines in Sun Valley. Hotshots are building lines at Monjeau Peak and Soldier Mountain, where air tankers aid by dropping retardant. Precautionary measures include sprinklers at Upper Eagle Creek Summer Homes. Lincoln County maintains current safety levels. See the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page and the Lincoln County OES updates for more details.

Firefighters are tirelessly battling the Blue 2 Fire in White Mountain Wilderness, 8 miles north of Ruidoso, which started on May 16 due to lightning. Covering 6,863 acres with zero containment, efforts include day and night shifts, building firelines, aerial water and retardant drops, and setting defensive sprinklers around homes. Persistent winds and dry conditions continue to challenge these efforts. For more details and updates on evacuations and closures, visit official links provided.

Hotshot crews are using controlled burns to manage the fire near the 107 D road and Soldier Mountain. Aviation resources, including three Type 1 helicopters, are reinforcing retardant lines and dropping water. Heavy equipment is establishing dozer lines around Loma Grande. Minimal activity was observed on the west side. Stay updated via the Lincoln National Forest Blue Fires 2024 Incident Facebook page.

The American Red Cross New Mexico Chapter is relocating its Blue 2 Fire shelter from the Lincoln County Fairgrounds to Capitan High School (519 Smokey Bear Boulevard, Capitan, NM 88316). The shelter will continue aiding those affected by the wildfire. The Lincoln County Fairgrounds will remain an evacuation center run by the CERT Team. Follow the Lincoln County Fire Service on Facebook for evacuation status updates.

The Blue 2 Wildfire has now affected 6,213 acres and is 0% contained. Additional firefighters have arrived on the scene, and more resources are en route. Located 8 miles north of Ruidoso, it involves 475 personnel, 170 crews, 42 engines, 5 helicopters, and 2 bulldozers. Significant fire activity is on the northeast and southern perimeters. For the latest evacuation info, visit Lincoln County Evacuation Updates.

No lives or structures have been lost to the Blue 2 Fire. Full suppression tactics included ground operations, scouting control lines, and starting containment lines. Leadership transitions to Incident Management Team 3 with Matt Rau in command. High winds hindered aerial efforts. Fire size is 3,249 acres. Smoke visible in Ruidoso and Capitan. Evacuation plans: Go Now, Be Set, and Be Ready in place. Red flag warning extends through the weekend.

The Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services has issued an immediate evacuation order for the Nogal Canyon Road. Residents must evacuate immediately. Please proceed with caution and follow all instructions from emergency personnel. Stay safe and stay informed. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

The Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services has issued a prepare-to-evacuate notice for the Ranchman's Camp and Magado Creek subdivisions. Residents must be set to evacuate. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

The Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services has issued an immediate evacuation order for the Loma Grande Subdivision. Residents must evacuate immediately. Please proceed with caution and follow all instructions from emergency personnel. Stay safe and stay informed. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

Lincoln National Forest is hosting a critical community event this evening, May 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The Blue 2 Fire Town Hall will occur at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Branch, 709 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, NM. The event will address critical issues related to active Blue 2 Fire and community safety.

Lincoln County Emergency Office has ordered an immediate evacuation for Villa Madonna Subdivision due to the Blue 2 Fire. Affected areas include Upper Eagle Creek and Hwy 532 Ski Run Road. Residents can shelter at the Capitan Fairgrounds. A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 10 PM. The fire, caused by lightning, has burned 3,427 acres with 0% containment. Stay updated via the Watch Duty App, the Village of Ruidoso Blue 2 Fire Hub, and heard on the Village of Ruidoso 1490 KRUI AM radio station.

The Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services has issued an immediate evacuation order for the Villa Madonna Subdivision. Residents must evacuate immediately to the County Fairgrounds at Capitan. Please proceed with caution and follow all instructions from emergency personnel. Stay safe and stay informed. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

High Wind Warning is in effect from 11 AM to 6 PM MST today, May 25th, with southwest winds of 35-45 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. Smoke is expected in and around Ruidoso. Responding crews include 177 members with more arriving. GO NOW evacuations: Villa Madonna Subdivision, Bonito Lake Rd, Forest Service Rds 108, 107, 127A. SET evacuations: Sierra Vista and Sun Valley Subdivisions. READY evacuations: Angus Area. Stay alert and follow local authority instructions.

Residents and visitors of Forest Rd 127A (Upper Eagle Creek off Ski Run Road) are being evacuated to the County Fairgrounds, per Lincoln County Fire Service on Facebook. This evacuation affects only those on Forest Rd 127A. Stay updated by following the Lincoln County Fire Service on Facebook and the Watch Duty app. Safety is the top priority; adhere to all evacuation orders and guidelines. Stay safe, Ruidoso.

As of May 24, 2024, the Blue 2 Fire has grown to 3,300 acres and is 0% contained. There are 88 personnel on-site, and more will be arriving soon. Evacuations remain unchanged. Today's efforts focused on air and ground operations. The Southwest Complex Incident Team will take over management on Sunday. For detailed updates, visit the Watch Duty App Incident page. Stay safe, Ruidoso.