Acres:7,457

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

Personnel: 802

Containment: 14%

Start Date: May 16, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush

Resources: 17 crews | 32 engines | 8 helicopters | 3 bulldozers | 12 Water Tenders

Highlights: Yesterday, experienced moderate weather, which assisted firefighters in completing additional containment. The southern end of Soldier Mountain gained more containment lines as mop-up work continued in the area by fire crews on the ground. An additional containment line was achieved on the fire perimeter west of Granite Knob. Firefighters are working hard to be able to mop up along the fire’s edge to prepare for the forecasted hot and dry weather early next week.

Weather: Yesterday, humidity was high during the day until late afternoon which assisted firefighters to continue working safely around the perimeter. Storm clouds were seen at the eastern edge of the fire area, however the fire did not receive any moisture. During the evening, there was a drop in humidity due to southwesterly winds that dried out fine fuels. Today, higher humidity and wind are expected. Storm clouds will be seen during the day around the eastern side of the fire. Even though wind and storm clouds are expected, a major increase in fire behavior is not expected.

Smoke: Smoke production has decreased due to minimal fire activity. Thunderstorms predicted outside of the fire perimeter will produce downflow winds that could move some light smoke into surrounding areas. View an interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/

Phone Number: 575-386-5077 (7 a.m. -7 p.m.)

Media Phone Number: 575-386-5108 (7 a.m. -7 p.m.)

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmlnf-blue-2-fire

Email: 2024.blue2@firenet.gov

Links to further information can be found at the QR code or https://linktr.ee/bluefire.2024

Operations: Yesterday, fire crews continued mopping up and securing lines along the 107 A road and Soldier Mountain. Heavy equipment has been successful in progressing the contingency lines that surround the fire. Structure protection will continually have a presence throughout the surrounding communities on both day and night shifts to ensure that communities are being monitored for any changes to the fire. Mop-up and patrol continue across the entire fire perimeter. Pumps, sprinklers, and water sources are being used to support structure protection and mop-up efforts. Handline on the eastern forest boundary near Enchanted Forest and Sun Valley continue to progress.

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. Evacuation shelters are expected to stay open over the weekend. Efforts are continually being made by fire crews to ensure that the fire perimeter is safe before repopulation of the surrounding communities. For an interactive evacuation map, go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs