Blue 2 Fire Update, June 9, 2024

Pecos Zone Type 3 Team Takes Command Over The Blue 2 Fire

Daily Update: June 9, 2024 

Acres: 7,532

Start Date: May 16, 2024  

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

Cause: Lightning 

Personnel: 212                  

Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush 

Containment: 87%  

Resources: 1 crew | 3 engines | 1 helicopter | 2 bulldozers | 1 water tender | 5 masticators

Highlights: Yesterday at 6 pm, the fire transferred command to the Pecos Zone Type 3 team. Fire suppression repair is near completion across the fire area. Resource advisors assess work as completed to ensure the set standards are met.

Operations: Repair work on the containment line north of Eagle Creek Summer Homes is progressing. Mastication continues along the Eastern contingency line west of Loma Grande. Excavators and hand crews pile brush around the mastication lines to return the constructed line to a more natural state. Firefighters continue to backhaul the remaining equipment and patrol containment lines. The uncontained section of the fire, north of Buck Mountain, is being patrolled by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and firefighters on foot. UAS has not detected any heat sources in the area for five days. Law enforcement continues to enforce the forest closure so firefighters can safely complete their work. The Incident Management Team has resources on standby for any initial attack in the case of potential lightning and wind hazards.

Weather: The area’s chance of thunderstorms continues today. Storms may bring dry lightning, gusty and erratic winds, rain, and even small hail.

Smoke: The fire is producing minimal smoke. Surrounding communities will see good air. Transported smoke or other particulate matter may create hazy skies on occasion. The interactive smoke map can still be found at fire.airnow.gov/

Closures: In the interest of public safety, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted due to ongoing firefighter activities. The Forest closure order will continue to remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area.

Evacuations: All evacuation statuses have been lifted. For an interactive evacuation map, go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs