McBride Fire Update: April 14, 11:44 AM

Acres: 5,736 acres

Cause: Under investigation

Containment: 0%

Start Date: April 12,2022

Location: Gavilan Canyon within the Village of Ruidoso 

Fuels: Timber, brush, dry grasses

Structures burned: 207 primary structures, multiple outbuildings

Fatalities: 2           

Highlights: Yesterday firefighters continued to focus on structural point protection in the multiple subdivisions affected by the fire. Crews also worked to build handline and dozer lines to keep the fire from spreading to Paradise Canyon and Meander. Seven air tankers and two helicopters assisted with slurry and water drops to slow fire progression. Heavy winds in the afternoon caused a spot fire to cross Gavilan Road which forced additional evacuations in Gavilan Canyon. The Southwest Area Type 1 Team 2 assumed management of the fire at 6 a.m. this morning.

Operations:  Today, engine crews working in the southwest area of the fire near the point of origin will focus on suppressing hotspots to prevent further damage to private property. Along the northwest edge of the fire crews will go direct, constructing handline to prevent fire spread to additional homes in the area. On the east side of Gavilan Canyon, in addition to structural protection, a hot shot crew will work to suppress fire and control fire progression. Crews and dozers will focus on constructing line along open edges of the fire to prevent fire from spreading south of Gavilan and keep it from progressing to Paradise Canyon. The fire continues to spread to the northeast and fire activity is expected to increase this afternoon due to increasingly gusty winds. The fire is currently moving down Eagle Ridge, behind Kokopelli and Outlaw. Elk Valley, south of the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport is northeast of the fire.

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:  Sunny/clear, temperatures in mid-60s, humidity 5-6%. West-southwest winds 6 to 16 mph with gusts to 30 mph in afternoon. Tonight clear, temperatures mid-40s, humidity 18-22%, winds West 12-15mph gusts to 30 mph.

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: www.facebook.com/McBrideFire2022

NM Fire Info: www.nmfireinfo.com