Blue 2 Fire remains stable, 14% content

Photo courtesy of the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The Blue 2 Fire remains at 7,457 acres with 14 percent containment as of Saturday, June 1, according to a press release sent out by the New Mexico State Division of Forestry.

As of Friday, May 31, the fire is estimated to be 7,457 acres with 5 percent containment.

The Forestry Division said Friday's moderate weather helped firefighters carry out additional containment.

The south end of Soldier Mountain gained containment distance as cleanup work continued in the area by fire crews on the ground. An additional containment line was completed on the fire perimeter west of Granite Knob, according to the Division of Forestry.

Smoke production has decreased due to minimal fire activity, according to the Forestry Division.

The Division of Forestry said thunderstorms forecast outside the fire perimeter will produce downslope winds that could move light smoke into surrounding areas. You can view an interactive smoke map here.

The Lincoln National Forest has issued an emergency closure of the area due to the fire and a temporary flight restriction is in place over the area, according to the Division of Forestry.

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,” the press release reads.

In addition, there are a total of 802 personnel on site, including 17 crews, 32 engineers, eight helicopters, three bulldozers and 12 water tenders.

The fire was started by lightning on Thursday, May 16, and is located in the White Mountain Wilderness, 8 miles north of Ruidoso, according to the Division of Forestry.

For the latest information on evacuations, click here.