Video above: Blue 2 Fire reaches 7,000 acres on Memorial Day weekend
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Blue 2 Fire grew slightly to 7,532 acres with 77 percent containment on Wednesday, June 5, according to the New Mexico State Forestry Division.
On Tuesday, June 4, the fire was reported at 7,495 acres with 69 percent containment. The fire did not grow on Monday or Tuesday. However, the fire grew 37 acres on Wednesday.
The Forestry Division says significant moisture is expected in the coming days with higher humidity and daily storms.
Firefighters achieved additional containment just south of Bonito Lake and all “Go” evacuation statuses have been lifted, according to the Forestry Division.
The Forestry Division says surrounding communities will see good air quality and camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted.
You can view an interactive smoke map here: fire.airnow.gov/.
The forest closure order will continue to remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area, according to the Forestry Division.
There are currently 399 personnel at the site with five crews, 14 engines, two helicopters, two bulldozers, and five water tenders.
The fire was caused by lightning on Thursday, May 16, and is located in the White Mountain Wilderness area, which is 8 miles north of Ruidoso.
A virtual public meeting on the fire will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page.
“Firefighters continue to focus on repairing dozer lines and hand lines created during the height of fire suppression efforts. As repair work is completed, it is inspected to ensure the standards identified by the Forest Service and New Mexico Forestry Division are met. Brush cut to remove fuels has been chipped. Excavators are working along the dozer line from the 131 road to the 108 road, installing erosion control features and pulling brush on top of disturbed soil. Crews are checking for any additional hot spots on Soldier Mountain and using hand tools to create small ridges that will divert water and reduce future erosion potential along the handline. The dozer line west of the communities along the Forest Service boundary is also being repaired. Masticators working along this dozer line have created a fuel break that will help reduce risk to the communities during future wildfires. Seed has been ordered and fire lines will be re-seeded. Law enforcement continues to enforce the forest closure so firefighters can safely complete their work,” the Forestry Division said.
For the latest information on evacuations, click here.
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