6-03-2024 3:15am

Blue 2 Fire Update: 54% Contained, Evacuations Lifted

Chris Edwards Editor

On Sunday per New Mexico Fire and the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office; firefighters, 17 days into the fight were preparing for winds to test the fire line on the Blue 2 Fire, which started on May 16, 2024, due to lightning.

The fire initially was concentrated 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, the fire has burned 7,457 acres and is 54% contained with 786 personnel. Strong winds up to 35 mph were expected, challenging containment efforts yet containment for the most part held, with lower winds the next few days and rain expected on Thursday.

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

Engines will remain 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.

Crews continue mop-up and structure protection while heavy equipment strengthens fire lines. Smoke conditions may increase due to dry, hot weather the next few days.

The Lincoln National Forest remains under an emergency area closure, and evacuation levels are stable.

Evacuation Orders

As of 4:00 pm on June 2, 2024:

All “Go” Evacuation notices have been lifted.
Capitan, Enchanted Forest, and Alto are no longer in “Ready” status.
Cora Dutton, Ranchman’s Camp, Sun Valley, and Sierra Vista are now “Ready.”
Villa Madonna, Bonito Lake, Loma Grande, and Nogal Canyon are “Set.”

Stay informed, sign up for alerts, and prepare for monsoon season. For more info, visit www.tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs.

Stay updated via the Lincoln National Forest Blue Fires 2024 Incident Facebook page.

Meanwhile on Friday in special session the City of Alamogordo Commission met in special session and initiated a state of emergency for the city so that FEMA emergency monies and money under state and federal emergency declarations may be issued to help with recovery of the Benito Lake area which is the primary water source for Alamogordo and Holloman Air Force Base.

Of great concern is heavy rains in the upcoming weeks could create flash flood conditions and push silt and debris back into the lake that has been in a recovery phase for the last 10 years from a previous major forest fire.