The Salt Fire is making a significant run toward Ruidoso Downs, posing an imminent threat. A mandatory evacuation is in effect. All residents must evacuate immediately and head to a safe location. stay tuned to local news channels, our South Fork/Salt Fire Information Hub, our official Facebook page and tune in at 1490 AM for updates and further instructions.

Overnight efforts report the South Fork Fire at 13,921 acres and the Salt Fire at 4,876 acres, both with 0% containment. The Complex Team will take command this afternoon. Expected weather: winds at 15-20 MPH and single-digit humidity. Massive air attacks and dozer lines are underway. Updates at the Village Facebook page and 1490 AM

Mandatory evacuations due to the South Fork Fire include Ruidoso Downs, Village of Ruidoso, Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Ponderosa Heights, Alpine Village, Lower Eagle Creek, Alto Lakes, Sonterra 1-3, Alto, West Gavilan, Sun Valley, Sierra Vista, Villa Madonna, Ski Run Road, areas west of Highway 48, and Gavilan Canyon Rd. Evacuate via Hwy 70 towards Roswell. Call 575-937-7785 for assistance. Updates on the Village Facebook page and 1490 AM.

Due to the South Fork Fire, a mandatory evacuation is ordered for all of Ruidoso, from Sudderth/Mechem to Freedom Bloom at Big O Tire. Evacuate via Sudderth to Highway 70 toward Roswell. Highways 48 and 70 at Apache Summit are closed. Evacuation centers: Eastern NM University-Roswell (52 University Blvd) and Eastern NM State Fairgrounds (2500 SE Main St) for livestock/RVs. Info: 575-258-6900. Stay updated on the Village South Fork Fire Info Hub, Facebook, and 1490 AM.

The Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management (OEM) monitors the South Fork Fire on the Mescalero Apache reservation. Located 2-3 miles from the Village of Ruidoso, near Upper Canyon, the fire spans approximately 15 acres. The Smokey Bear Hot Shots and other crews are responding with air support, including a Type 1 helicopter and a large air tanker. Grindstone Lake operations are closed to facilitate water collection. Further updates will be provided.

Children ages 1 to 18 can enjoy free, healthy meals this summer at Lincoln County Medical Center's cafeteria. Breakfast is available Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and lunch is served daily from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

The Blue 2 Fire, 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, has burned 7,532 acres since May 16, 2024, and is now 91% contained. Caused by lightning, the fire's uncontained perimeter has been assessed and found not holding heat. Repair work continues, and moderate burn severity affects 8% of the area. Road closures and restrictions remain, with limited smoke expected throughout the summer. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

Due to its mountainous location, military aircraft frequently use Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SBRA) in Ruidoso for high-altitude training. Residents should not be alarmed by these aircraft, as they refuel and sometimes dine locally. This training is essential for national defense. For questions, contact SBRA at 575-336-8111.

The Village of Ruidoso is hosting public meetings on June 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM and June 25, 2024, at 4:00 PM to gather input for the 2026-2030 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP). Meetings will be broadcast via YouTube and in-person at Village Hall, 313 Cree Meadows Drive. Residents can review and suggest updates to the plan, which prioritizes projects over five years. The Village Council will consider the plan on July 9, 2024.

The Pecos Zone Type 3 team assumed command of the Blue 2 Fire at 6 PM yesterday. Repairs are near completion, with containment line work progressing. No heat has been detected for five days north of Buck Mountain. Minimal smoke is affecting the area. Bonito Lake Area remains closed for safety. All evacuations have been lifted. Thunderstorms may bring dry lightning and gusty winds. An interactive map is at tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs.

The New Mexico Film Office announced that the feature film “Fight or Flight” wrapped filming in Ruidoso today on June 7, 2024. Directed by Shane Dax Taylor and starring Dolph Lundgren, Michael Jai White, Scott Martin, and Charlotte Kirk, the film employed over 100 locals. This project highlights Ruidoso's growing role in the state’s booming film industry, contributing to its over $1 billion economic impact in 2024.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, led by Terry Hardy and Edgar Martinez, is assessing the Blue 2 Fire's impact in Ruidoso, NM. The team evaluates post-fire risks like flooding and debris flow, focusing on human safety and natural resources. Specialists from various fields create a Soil Burn Severity map and recommend emergency stabilization measures. More info is available on the Blue 2 Fire Postfire BAER InciWeb page.

The Blue 2 Fire, caused by lightning, has burned 7,532 acres since May 16 and is 87% contained. 273 personnel are working on suppression repairs, with most lines repaired. Drones and firefighters patrol uncontained areas. Increased moisture expected, but dry lightning and winds are possible. Minimal smoke, good air quality. Forest closures remain; all evacuations lifted.

An online community meeting is set for tonight at 7:30 pm on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page. The fire, started by lightning on May 16, has burned 7,532 acres near Ruidoso, with 318 personnel and 83% containment. Efforts include land repair and erosion control. Improved weather conditions help, and all evacuations are lifted, but forest closures remain for safety.

As of June 5, 2024, the fire has burned 7,532 acres since May 16, 2024, 8 miles north of Ruidoso in White Mountain Wilderness Area. Caused by lightning, it is now 77% contained, with 399 personnel working. Efforts include repairing dozer lines, installing erosion control, and reseeding fire lines. Minimal smoke is produced, with potential storms expected. Public safety closures remain in effect. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for June 6 at 7:30 pm on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page.

The Blue 2 Fire, located 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, started on May 16, 2024, and has burned 7,495 acres with 69% containment. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is arriving today and will begin their assessment for emergency soil stabilization. Containment is progressively increasing with firefighters working hard at mopping up the remaining uncontained areas of the fire perimeter. Due to ongoing firefighting activities, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted in the interest of public safety. The fire was caused by lightning and is being managed by 489 personnel with various resources.

The Blue 2 Fire, 8 miles north of Ruidoso, started on May 16, 2024, and has burned 7,495 acres with 59% containment. Evacuations are reduced due to efforts by local authorities. Fire personnel remain for monitoring and mop-up. The Red Cross shelter in Capitan will close, and the Emergency Operations Center will reduce hours. High temperatures and low humidity persist, but significant fire activity hasn't increased. Camping in Bonito Lake Area remains restricted.

Starting at 4:00 PM on June 2, 2024, evacuation levels for the Blue 2 Fire will change. Capitan, Enchanted Forest, and Alto are no longer in “Ready” status. Cora Dutton, Ranchman’s Camp, Sun Valley, and Sierra Vista are now “Ready.” Villa Madonna, Bonito Lake, Loma Grande, and Nogal Canyon are “Set.” All “Go” notices are lifted. Stay informed, sign up for alerts, and prepare for monsoon season. For more info, visit www.tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs.

Firefighters prepare for winds to test the fire line on the Blue 2 Fire, which started on May 16, 2024, due to lightning. Located 8 miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, the fire has burned 7,457 acres and is 54% contained with 786 personnel. Strong winds up to 35 mph are expected, potentially challenging containment efforts. Crews continue mop-up and structure protection while heavy equipment strengthens fire lines. Smoke conditions may increase due to dry, hot weather. The Lincoln National Forest remains under an emergency area closure, and evacuation levels are stable.

Firefighters are progressing on the 7,457-acre Blue 2 Fire, which started May 16, 2024, 8 miles north of Ruidoso. Currently, 14% contained, crews have focused on mopping up and securing lines around Soldier Mountain and Granite Knob. With 802 personnel and numerous resources, they are preparing for hotter, drier conditions. Lincoln National Forest remains under emergency closure, and evacuation levels are unchanged.