Single Publication

Firefighters prepare for winds to test the fire line on the Blue 2 Fire      

Daily Update: June 2, 2024

Acres: 7,457                                                                                                       Start Date: May 16, 2024 

Location: 8 miles North of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area                  Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 786                                                                                                    Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush

Containment: 54%                                                                                                                                            

Resources: 17 crews | 33 engines | 8 helicopters | 6 bulldozers | 10 Water Tenders

Highlights: Storms will continue in the surrounding areas, causing outflow winds up to 35 mph on the ridge tops to affect the fire area throughout the day. Firefighters are prepared for the weather to test the containment and remaining open line of the fire perimeter. Successful work on the ground has allowed the progression of increased containment.

Operations: Yesterday, Solider Mountain has been fully contained and firefighters will remain in the area to ensure that the fireline holds. Ground crews focused on mop up efforts, using water and hand tools to be able to work on the uncontained line. Structure protection is ongoing, and pumps are continually tested to ensure that they are fully operational in the event they are needed. Heavy equipment is working on completion of the contingency line towards Buck Mountain. Night shift will continue to patrol around communities and monitor for any new sources of heat. Today, ground crews will stay vigilant in anticipation of forecasted winds where hotspots or spotting could test the fire perimeter. Engines will be near Bonito Lake mopping up and providing structure protection to values at risk. Crews are removing slash from fire lines and heavy equipment is being used to the west of Angus and the Enchanted Forest communities to ensure that the lines hold.

Weather: Due to the thunderstorm formation in the surrounding areas, the fire area will experience winds that will test the fire perimeter with stronger winds coming from different directions than have been experienced during previous days. As the storms exit to the east, they will give way to dry and hot weather for the next several days. 

Smoke: As warm and dry conditions are experienced there is potential for more smoke. However, barring any significant fire growth, only periods of light smoke should be seen around Bonito and Capitan. View an interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/

Closures: The Lincoln National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Blue 2 Fire. The closure order (No.03-08-24-0001) and map are available on Inciweb and the Lincoln National Forest website. 

Evacuations: Evacuation levels remain unchanged and weather will determine the status of evacuations as managers assess current conditions. For an interactive evacuation map go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones. Find the TFR at tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/

June 2 Blue 2 Fire Evacuation Map

Sun, 06/02/2024 - 09:44

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June 2 Blue 2 Fire Evacuation Map