EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Blue 2 Fire was still listed at 7,495 acres with 69 percent containment on Tuesday, June 4, according to the New Mexico State Forestry Division.
On Monday, June 3, the fire was reported at 7,495 acres with 59 percent containment.
The Forestry Division says a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is arriving Tuesday and will begin their assessment for emergency stabilization of the soil.
“The objective of the BAER program is to determine the need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments on federal lands to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire or to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources,” the Forestry Division said.
The Forestry Division says surrounding communites 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 489 personnel at the site with eight crews, 14 engines, six helicopters, three bulldozers, and seven 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.
“Containment is progressively increasing with firefighters working hard at mopping up the remaining uncontained areas of the fire perimeter. Suppression repair work has started in the surrounding areas of the fire where heavy equipment and fire crews put in contingency lines. Some large fuels may continue to smolder, but perimeter growth is not expected. Fire managers are working together with resource advisors, the BAER team and the City of Ruidoso. The evacuation levels have been reduced but the areas are still being monitored by law enforcement to make sure that only fire personnel and residents are able to be in the area,” the Forestry Division said.
For the latest information on evacuations, click here.
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