After working with the IC on the Type 3 Team for the Cienigita Fire, the Village of Ruidoso has lifted the READY status on the west end of the Upper Canyon, Perk Canyon, and Brady Canyon.

The Cienegita Fire was ignited by lightning on June 3 after multiple lightning strikes hit the area. The fire is located approximately four miles northwest of the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and is 37 acres with 25% contained. There are no mandatory evacuation notices in effect; however, Upper Canyon, Park Canyon, and Brady Canyon, within the Village of Ruidoso, is in a state of readiness to evacuate, if necessary.

Winds are expected to be 15-20 mph today. A Type 3 Incident Management Team was ordered yesterday and is expected to arrive within 24 hrs. At this time, the west end of the Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Perk Canyon, Cedar Creek, and Alpine Village remain on READY status out of an abundance of caution. We will continue to keep you updated here as we learn more.

The Village of Ruidoso has put Alpine Village, Cedar Creek, the west end of the Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, and Perk Canyon on READY status due to the Cienigita Fire that is currently burning on the Reservation. This is being done out of an abundance of caution.

The Village of Ruidoso will implement an escalation to Level 3 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, which bans sources of fire outside on any public or private property as follows due to extreme fire danger. The order will remain in effect until further notice. Citations will be issued. No exceptions. No warnings.

The Lincoln National Forest joins other forest and parks in New Mexico who are implementing strict fire restrictions among a flurry of wildfires across the state. The Lincoln National Forest is entering Stage 2 fire restrictions just a week after going into Stage 1 restrictions.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been established by the Lincoln NF to begin a burned area assessment of the Nogal Canyon and McBride Fires that recently burned on private, state, and federal lands in and near Ruidoso, NM.

Highlights: Both the Nogal Canyon and McBride Fires were transferred to a Type 4 Command structure on April 21st at 7:00 am. Safety: Today is an Extremely Critical Fire Weather Day. There are red flag warnings in effect. Lincoln County, the Village of Ruidoso, Otero County, and the Lincoln National Forest are ALL under fire restrictions or burn bans. Please do not burn debris, weld, or have campfires on red flag warning days.

As of 7 am Thursday, April 21, 2022, the McBride Fire has been transferred to a Type-4 Incident Management Team. With high containment numbers and no fire movement for multiple days, we will be switching to a full written update every other day.

In accordance with Lincoln County Ordinance 2017-03, the Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln County has enacted Resolution 2021-58 banning all burning of open flames, fires, campfires, trash, rubbish, shrubbery, or other material of any kind except by permit. This Resolution is to remain in effect for thirty (30) days or until rescinded by the Board of Commissioners.

Due to increasing fire danger, the Village of Ruidoso, NM, has implemented Stage II fire restrictions effective immediately on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. These additional fire protections will remain in effect until officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

The Lincoln National Forest implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective April 19, 2022, due to increasing fire activity and dry conditions. The increased fire danger is due to insufficient moisture and dry fuel conditions across the forest. The following are prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions […]

This will be the FINAL written update for the McBride Fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure tomorrow, April 21st at 7:00 am. Once the fire transitions, updates will be made to the Facebook page and InciWeb as notable events occur. The current phone numbers and email addresses will no longer be monitored. As of Thursday morning, members of the public should call 575-258-6900, and media outlets to call 505-445-8278.

Multiple pieces of firefighter equipment located in and around the fire area has been vandalized. Law enforcement is involved and an investigation is underway. With objectives continuing to be met, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will begin to transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure on Thursday morning at 7:00 am.

The majority of work left to be completed is along the eastern fire’s edge. However, firefighters will have a presence in the communities to the west to address hotspots and mitigate hazard trees. Yesterday, crews were able to complete a full assessment with hotshot crews walking the entire perimeter. A reconnaissance flight was conducted to check the fire’s edge for hotspots.

The Type 1 Incident Team, together with the New Mexico State Police, the Village of Ruidoso, and Lincoln County officials are lifting all evacuation orders in the McBride Fire area.

Operations: In the Eagle Creek and Gavilan closure areas, fire crews are mopping up and identifying, and removing hazard trees. They are working to cool burning stump holes and other heat sources in a concentrated effort to prepare for lifting the remaining evacuations. Currently, both the gas and power companies are working in the Gavilan area to ensure utilities are working before homeowners can safely return. Firefighters will work all along the fire perimeter to secure the rugged, western edge of the fire. They are locating heat sources and scouting to tie in pieces of fire line. Due to diminishing winds, low fire activity is expected today.

Evacuation orders are being lifted in the following neighborhoods of the McBride Fire 2022.

Watch today's LIVE operational broadcast from the McBride and Nogal Fires by Field Operations Chief Rocky Gilbert.

For those looking to help people affected by the McBride and Nogal Canyon wildfires, the Community Foundation of Lincoln County Shelter Fund supports victims and is accepting donations.