NM Forestry Division updates two Blue 2 and Indios wildfires

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 24 May 2024 24 May 2024

Wildfire Notification #6

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on two wildfires that are requiring the attention of federal, state, and local resources in New Mexico.

 The Blue 2 and Indios fires are burning on public lands and are being managed by the US Forest Service. Resources are currently responding to these incidents and are adding additional crews to be prepared for hot temperatures and high winds in both locations over the weekend. 

Keeping in mind this high potential for wildfire through Memorial Day, the Forestry Division would like to remind everyone to be safe and aware of their surroundings this holiday weekend.

Know before you go: When heading into the great outdoors, be sure to check the weather, and be sure to check and what restrictions are in place wherever you’re choosing to go. A list of New Mexico State Parks fire restrictions can be found here.

Once you’re there: Be smart and be safe. Human-caused fires are the result of making bad decisions. Smoking, parking cars over tall grass, loose tow chains, and working outside with equipment: these are some of the biggest human causes of fire starts in New Mexico. In short -- be aware of your surroundings. Understand that the actions you take have consequences. Use good judgement.

Blue 2 Fire

Yesterday's Red Flag conditions created increased smoke and fire activity from the Blue 2 Fire that is currently burning in the White Mountain Wilderness area. The fire size is currently estimated at 1,478 acres, but a heavy smoke layer makes an accurate estimate difficult. Crews remained on the fire throughout the night last night. The fire continues to burn dead and down trees and standing dead trees (snags) that were left after the Little Bear fire in 2012.

Today's operations will consist of air and ground operations. Expect to see aircraft as weather permits. Ground Operations are shifting to operating day & night. A Complex Incident Management Team was ordered last night at midnight and is currently en route.

As was dictated last night by fire behavior, Lincoln County activated an Emergency Contact Center: (575) 336-8600 and there is currently an emergency shelter, and animal emergency shelter in place. Lincoln County Fire Service advises citizens to sign up for CodeRed even if you are not impacted by this fire, it is an important resource for local residents.

Current Evacuations issued by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are under effect for Bonito Lake Rd, Forest Service Road 108, and Forest Service Road 107. At this time, the Angus Area, Villa Madonna, Sierra Vista & Sun Valley subdivisions on the west side of Hwy48 should also be ready for evacuations. Operations Emergency Services has established an evacuation reception center at the Capitan Fairgrounds. 

Please keep 911 open and available for emergencies.

There will be a public meeting Friday (May 24, 2024) evening at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Branch Community College 709 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso NM.

Blue 2 Fire Start Date /Time: May 17, 2024, approximately 3:45 p.m.

Cause: Lightning

Size: Blue 2 Fire: Estimated 1,478 acres

Location: White Mountain Wilderness

Resources: 88 Personnel, more EnRoute

Vegetation/Fuels: Dead and dead/down trees

Containment: 0%

Tactic: Full Suppression

Smoke: Moderate / Wind Influenced Smoke

Evacuation: Go Now: Bonito Lake Road, Forest Service Road 108, Forest Service Road 107

                  Be Set: Villa Madonna Subdivision, Sierra Vista Subdivision, Sun Valley Subdivision

                  Be Ready: Angus Area

Shelters: Lincoln County Fairgrounds / 101 5th St. Capitan NM 88316

Animal Shelters: Humane Society of Lincoln County I 25962 US Hwy 70 Ruidoso NM 88345

Area Closures: Part of White Mountain Wilderness Area, See link for more information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/nmlnf-blue-2-fire/-closure-update-for-trails-on­ white-mountain-wilderness-area-05-22-2024

More Information:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LincolnNationalForest NM Fire Info: www.NMFirelnfo.com

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

Lincoln County CodeRed: bit.ly/4bwMk8n


 Indios Fire

The Indios Fire is a lightning caused wildfire located in the Coyote Ranger District, about 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, N.M within the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

The Indios fire continues to burn within the Chama River Canyon Wilderness in steep, inaccessible terrain. On Thursday, with near critical fire weather conditions, the fire grew as expected but is still within the larger potential perimeter. The fire spotted into the 2017 Ojitos Fire area yesterday.

Today, two Interagency Hotshot crews and three engines will begin to work around this spot, anchoring into natural barriers and tying the line into the existing road systems. Fire managers continue to be strategic in their approach. While the helicopter was not used on the southern edge as initially planned, crews conducted some small but crucial strategic firing operations. These operations aimed to reduce fuels between FR 473 and the fire's edge on the southwest perimeter. More firing operations are likely to be used. This will help minimize fire effects by using low to moderate intensity firing and reducing vegetation between lines and the main fire.

Local engines continued to hold, secure, and patrol along FR 473 further north. Two masticators progressed in Gamble Oak on the fire's west side and got good depth on the lines in that area. The Mount Taylor and Black Mesa Interagency Hotshot Crews will begin work today, bringing the total number of IHCs to five.                                                  

Indios Fire Start Date: 5/19/2024

Location: 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, N.M.    

Acres: 1809      

Personnel: 133

Containment: 0%                                                          

Fuels: Timber, litter, understory

Resources: 5 crews | 1 helicopter | 5 engines| 1 road grader | 2 masticators | 1 water tender

Weather: Today, the high temperature will be around 72 degrees, and the minimum humidity will be 11-15 percent. Winds will be west 5-7 mph in the morning, increasing to 8-13 mph in the afternoon, with gusts to 25 mph. Wind trends will be stronger on Saturday, creating critical fire weather conditions despite the slight increase in humidity.

Smoke: Smoke is visible and local communities may experience smoke impacts along Highways 96, 112, and 84.

Closures: Visit Inciweb for the full order and map.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR in place around the fire area.

More Information: 575-323-2290 | 2024.indios@firenet.gov | x.com/SantafeNF | facebook.com/santafeNF

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-indios-wildfire

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.