Ruidoso, New Mexico fire is 7,400 acres, 0 percent contained – updated Wednesday, May 29

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Blue 2 Fire grew to over 7,400 acres with 0% containment as of Wednesday, May 29, according to the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page.

The Facebook page says smoke will be visible during the day as the fire is still active in the area.

The fire is located in the White Mountain Wilderness area, 8 miles north of Ruidoso.

The fire grew to 7,402 acres and was started by lightning on May 16, according to the Facebook page.

There are currently 643 people on site with 38 engines, seven helicopters, ten water boats and nine bulldozers taking part in the operation.

“Firefighters continue to use several tactics to completely extinguish the fire. Hotshots lit fuels by hand near the Bonito Creek Campground on the northwest side of the fire to bring the fire safely back to the road. They are also installing sprinklers near the intersection of Tanbark Canyon Road and Highway 107. On Soldier Mountain, hotshots have connected a handline all around the spot north of Highway 107 and will continue to reinforce this line. Crews are also removing fuels in preparation for building more fire lines using bulldozers along the Forest Service boundary. The sprinklers and pipes installed in Villa Madonna are tested daily and supplied with water. Retardant was placed on the south side of the fire to allow crews to continue working along the edge of the fire. On the southwest side of the fire, crews are improving the Crest Trail for use as a staging feature if necessary. The public should expect to see smoke in the fire area,” the Facebook page states.

For the latest information on evacuations, click here.