Blue 2 Fire Update, June 8, 2024

 
Transition To Type 3 Team As Fire Winds Down

Daily Update: June 8, 2024 

Acres: 7,532

Start Date: May 16, 2024  

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

Cause: Lightning 

Personnel: 235                 

Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush 

Containment: 87%  

Resources: 2 crews | 11 engines | 2 helicopters | 2 bulldozers | 1 water tender | 3 masticators

Highlights: Today at 6 pm the fire will transfer command to the Pecos Zone type 3 team with Josh DuBoise as the new incident commander. Fire suppression repair is nearly complete across the fire area. Resource advisors inspect work as it is completed to ensure it meets the standards set by the Forest Service and New Mexico Forestry Division.

Operations: Dozer line north of the fire between the 108 road and 131 road has been repaired. The handline west of Enchanted Forest is also repaired. Repair started on the containment line north of Eagle Creek Summer Homes. Masticators continue to finish the contingency line along the Forest boundary, west of Loma Grande. Excavators and crews are piling brush around the mastication line. Crews continue to backhaul the remaining equipment and patrol containment lines. The uncontained section of the fire, north of Buck Mountain, is patrolled by uncrewed aerial systems (drones) as well as monitored by firefighters on foot. Law enforcement continues to enforce the forest closure so firefighters can safely complete their work. The team does have resources on standby for any initial attack due to potential lightning and wind hazards.

Weather: No rain fell over the fire yesterday however a higher moisture pattern has set up in the region. Storms may bring dry lightning, gusty and erratic winds, 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

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/