Blue 2 Fire near Ruidoso nearly 70% contained, evacuation orders reduced
Fire crews continued making progress on a lightning caused fire near Ruidoso Monday.
The Blue 2 Fire burned 7,495 acres in the White Mountain Wilderness Area eight miles north of Ruidoso, according to the New Mexico Fire Information website.
The fire was 69% contained as of Tuesday morning as 489 personnel were fighting the fire that started May 16 by lighting.
“ABurned Area Emergency Response(BAER) Teamis arriving today and will begin their assessment for emergency stabilization of soil,” according to information from New Mexico Fire Information.
More: Firefighters gain ground on Blue 2 Fire as evacuation orders change in Lincoln County
“The objective of the BAER program is to determine the need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments on federal lands to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire or to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources.”
Containment was progressing with firefighters working to mop up the remaining uncontained areas of the fire perimeter.
Suppression repair work has started in surrounding areas of the fire where heavy equipment and fire crews put in contingency lines.
Evacuation levels reduced
The Village of Capitan, Enchanted Forest, and Alto communities are no longer in the “Ready” status, according to New Mexico Fire Information.
“The Cora Dutton, Ranchman’s Camp, Sun Valley, and Sierra Vista communities are now in a “Ready” status. The Villa Madonna, Bonito Lake, Loma Grande, and Nogal Canyon communities are now in a “Set” status, and all “Go” Evacuation notices have been lifted,” noted New Mexico Fire Information.
Ruidoso area has mixed weather forecast
Sunny skies with thunderstorm chances were predicted by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque for the Ruidoso area through Friday.
NWS forecasted highs around 86 and thunderstorm chances at 20% to 50%.
Moser Fire contained
More: Moser Fire near Cloudcroft burns more than 100 acres
The Moser Fire that burned near Cloudcroft in May was 100% contained as of May 29, according to New Mexico Fire Information.
Cause of the fire was not known and it was reported around 3:45 p.m. on May 20.
The Moser Fire burned around 100 acres and remains under investigation.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Blue 2 Fire near Ruidoso nearly 70% contained
