More people assigned to grow Blue 2 Fire near Ruidoso

RUIDOSO, N.M. — Officials said Wednesday the Blue 2 Fire grew to 7,402 acres as more people were tasked with containing and controlling the fire.

According to them, 643 people work on 12 crews, 38 engines, seven helicopters, nine bulldozers and 10 tankers. That's an increase from 533 people working 10 crews, 32 engines, six helicopters, six bulldozers and five water tenders on Tuesday, when the fire was just under 7,200 acres.

Loretta Benavidez, public information officer for Blue 2 Fire, said that sounds like a lot of people. However, even with everyone's help, the fire has a major stake in getting bigger.

“That’s why they are very conservative when they call for confinement. That's why we're still looking at 0% containment because you see the winds, you see the vegetation, and there's still a lot of potential and the fuel available, there's still a lot of potential for this fire to continue to burn. move around,” Benavidez said.

The air crew was very active in dealing with the fire on Sunday. Video posted on social media showed an air tanker dropping fire retardant over the northwest part of the fire.

Hotshot crews hand-lighted fuel near the Bonito Creek Campground on the northwest side of the fire to bring the fire safely back to the road. Crews are reinforcing the fire line by removing fuels, installing sprinklers and connecting the hand line. They also placed fire retardant on the southern edge of the fire.

Benavidez says the fire is spreading to the northeast and more homes could be placed under the Ready, Set, Go program. She wants to urge people not to wait until the last minute to get everything ready.

“You have to have important items, important papers, those kinds of medications, packed in your car and have your car ready to go when people tell you to go,” Benavidez said.

More than 3,600 households are currently under the Ready, Set, Go protocol:

GO – Bonito Lake Road, Forest Road 107 and 108, Nogal Canyon Road, Villa Madonna, Loma Grande Subdivision, Highway 127A should be evacuated if not already done.

TOGETHER – Ranchman's Camp, Magado's Creek, Sun Valley, Eagle Creek Sports Complex, Angus, Ski Run, Alto Area, Eagle Creek and Sierra Vista subdivisions are in SET status and should be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

READY – The Alto area, the Enchanted Loop community, and areas east and north of the community are in READY status. This includes High Sierra Estates, Copper Canyon, Copper Ridge, and Canaan Trail. It also includes the Western Sonterra subdivisions east of 48 and north and south of 37. Pine Hill Trail, Village of Capitan

“We're just asking people to comply when they're asked to get ready, get ready or leave,” Benavidez said.

Officials moved the evacuation shelter to Capitan High School on Sunday, and the county fairgrounds are still open to animals. Both shelters are open 24 hours a day.

The Ready, Set, Go! the guide is available here.

The Lincoln County Fire Department shares evacuation updates here.

Authorities believe the fire broke out due to lightning last Thursday, May 16.

An air quality alert is in effect for the area surrounding this fire.

If you live in or travel to Capitan Village, moderate air quality will persist Tuesday and Wednesday. Capitan will notice unhealthy air quality Tuesday evening and night if you have a health condition that makes you particularly sensitive to smoke.

It's a similar story to Bonito. This unhealthy air quality will persist Tuesday and Wednesday evening and overnight.

Ruidoso, you can actually expect good air quality but haze.

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