Blue 2 Fire Daily Update – June 1, 2024 — Ruidoso-NM.gov

Acres:7,457

Location: 8 miles north of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area

Staff: 802

Containment: 14%

Start date: May 16, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Wood/Grass/Brush

Resources: 17 crews | 32 engines | 8 helicopters | 3 bulldozers | 12 water offers

Strong points: Yesterday the weather was moderate, which helped firefighters achieve additional containment. The south end of Soldier Mountain gained more containment lines as cleanup work continued in the area by fire crews on the ground. An additional containment line was established on the fire perimeter west of Granite Knob. Firefighters are working hard to clear the area around the fire to prepare for the hot, dry weather forecast for early next week.

Weather report: Yesterday, humidity was high during the day until late afternoon, allowing firefighters to continue working safely around the perimeter. Thunderclouds were observed at the eastern edge of the fire area, but the fire did not receive any moisture. In the evening, there is a drop in humidity due to the southwest winds which dry out the fine fuels. Today, higher humidity and wind are expected. Thunderclouds will be visible during the day around the east side of the fire. Although wind and thunderclouds are expected, a significant increase in fire behavior is not expected.

Smoke: Smoke production has decreased due to minimal fire activity. Thunderstorms forecast outside the fire perimeter will produce downslope winds that could move light smoke into surrounding areas. View an interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/

Phone number: 575-386-5077 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Media phone number: 575-386-5108 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmlnf-blue-2-fire

E-mail: [email protected]

Links to further information can be found on the QR code or

Operations: Yesterday, fire crews continued to clear and secure lines along Highway 107 A and Soldier Mountain. Heavy equipment was able to advance emergency lines surrounding the fire. Structural protection will continually be present in surrounding communities, day and night, to ensure communities are monitored for any changes regarding the fire. Cleanup and patrols continue throughout the fire perimeter. Pumps, sprinklers and water sources are used to support structure protection and cleanup efforts. The handline on the eastern edge of the forest, near Enchanted Forest and Sun Valley, continues to progress.

The Lincoln National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Blue 2 Fire. The closure order (#03-08-24-0001) and map are available on Inciweb and the Lincoln National Forest website.

Evacuations: Evacuation levels remain unchanged. Evacuation shelters are expected to remain open over the weekend. Efforts are continually being made by fire crews to ensure the fire perimeter is secure prior to repopulation of surrounding communities. For an interactive evacuation map, go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs