Firefighters work to contain Blue 2 fire

Containment of a lightning-sparked fire near Ruidoso was reported over the weekend, as more than 7,000 acres burned Sunday, according to the New Mexico State Division of Forestry.

The Blue 2 wildfire ignited May 16 in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, eight miles north of Ruidoso. On June 3, the fire was reported as 54% contained by the State Division of Forestry, an agency of the New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources (ENMRD), in a Sunday press release.

Seventeen crews, 33 engines, eight helicopters, six bulldozers and 10 water tenders participated in the firefighting operations.

As of Saturday, the portion of the fire burning on Solider Mountain had been fully contained and firefighters remained in the area to ensure fire lines held while ground crews focused on cleanup efforts, according to the press release.