Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 9, 2024
The Pecos Zone Type 3 team assumed command of the Blue 2 Fire at 6 PM yesterday. Repairs are near completion, with containment line work progressing. No heat has been detected for five days north of Buck Mountain. Minimal smoke is affecting the area. Bonito Lake Area remains closed for safety. All evacuations have been lifted. Thunderstorms may bring dry lightning and gusty winds. An interactive map is at tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs.
Burned Area Emergency Response Team Assessing Fire Severity On The Blue 2 Fire
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, led by Terry Hardy and Edgar Martinez, is assessing the Blue 2 Fire's impact in Ruidoso, NM. The team evaluates post-fire risks like flooding and debris flow, focusing on human safety and natural resources. Specialists from various fields create a Soil Burn Severity map and recommend emergency stabilization measures. More info is available on the Blue 2 Fire Postfire BAER InciWeb page.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 7, 2024
The Blue 2 Fire, caused by lightning, has burned 7,532 acres since May 16 and is 87% contained. 273 personnel are working on suppression repairs, with most lines repaired. Drones and firefighters patrol uncontained areas. Increased moisture expected, but dry lightning and winds are possible. Minimal smoke, good air quality. Forest closures remain; all evacuations lifted.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 6, 2024
An online community meeting is set for tonight at 7:30 pm on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page. The fire, started by lightning on May 16, has burned 7,532 acres near Ruidoso, with 318 personnel and 83% containment. Efforts include land repair and erosion control. Improved weather conditions help, and all evacuations are lifted, but forest closures remain for safety.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 5, 2024
As of June 5, 2024, the fire has burned 7,532 acres since May 16, 2024, 8 miles north of Ruidoso in White Mountain Wilderness Area. Caused by lightning, it is now 77% contained, with 399 personnel working. Efforts include repairing dozer lines, installing erosion control, and reseeding fire lines. Minimal smoke is produced, with potential storms expected. Public safety closures remain in effect. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for June 6 at 7:30 pm on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page.
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.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 3, 2024
The Blue 2 Fire, 8 miles north of Ruidoso, started on May 16, 2024, and has burned 7,495 acres with 59% containment. Evacuations are reduced due to efforts by local authorities. Fire personnel remain for monitoring and mop-up. The Red Cross shelter in Capitan will close, and the Emergency Operations Center will reduce hours. High temperatures and low humidity persist, but significant fire activity hasn't increased. Camping in Bonito Lake Area remains restricted.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 2, 2024
Firefighters prepare for winds to test the fire line on the Blue 2 Fire, which started on May 16, 2024, due to lightning. Located 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, the fire has burned 7,457 acres and is 54% contained with 786 personnel. Strong winds up to 35 mph are expected, potentially challenging containment efforts. Crews continue mop-up and structure protection while heavy equipment strengthens fire lines. Smoke conditions may increase due to dry, hot weather. The Lincoln National Forest remains under an emergency area closure, and evacuation levels are stable.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - June 1, 2024
Firefighters are progressing on the 7,457-acre Blue 2 Fire, which started May 16, 2024, 8 miles north of Ruidoso. Currently, 14% contained, crews have focused on mopping up and securing lines around Soldier Mountain and Granite Knob. With 802 personnel and numerous resources, they are preparing for hotter, drier conditions. Lincoln National Forest remains under emergency closure, and evacuation levels are unchanged.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - May 31, 2024
The Blue 2 Fire, started by lightning on May 16, 2024, has burned 7,455 acres with 0% containment. Located in the White Mountain Wilderness near Ruidoso, the fire is being fought by 699 personnel using various resources. Firefighters are improving firelines and structure protection despite challenging weather conditions with strong winds and hot temperatures. For updates, call 575-386-5077 or visit the provided online resources.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - May 30, 2024
The Blue 2 Fire, started by lightning on May 16, 2024, has burned 7,455 acres with 0% containment. Located in the White Mountain Wilderness near Ruidoso, the fire is being fought by 699 personnel using various resources. Firefighters are improving firelines and structure protection despite challenging weather conditions with strong winds and hot temperatures. For updates, call 575-386-5077 or visit the provided online resources.
Lincoln National Forest enters ‘very high’ fire danger rating, implements Stage 2 Restrictions
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.
Blue 2 Fire Afternoon Update - May 29, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - May 29, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Wildfire Afternoon Update - May 28, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - May 28, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Wildfire Afternoon Update - May 27, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Fire Daily Update - May 27, 2024
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.
Blue 2 Wildfire Afternoon Update – May 26, 2024
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.
American Red Cross Shelter Relocating to Capitan High School for Those Affected by the Blue 2 Wildfire
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.