Lincoln County, New Mexico – Crews in the Smokey Bear Ranger District are actively monitoring two wildfires ignited by lightning strikes, namely the Blue Fire and Blue 2 Fire, within the White Mountain Wilderness Area in the Lincoln National Forest. The Blue 2 Fire has escalated to the point of necessitating evacuation orders.

Evacuation Order: Immediate Departure Required

Residents in the following areas are under mandatory evacuation orders:

• Bonito Lake Rd
• Forest Service Road 108 (also known as Bonito Lake Rd)
• Forest Service Road 107
• Villa Madonna Subdivision
• Forest Service Road 127A (Upper Eagle Creek off of Ski Run Road)
• Area along 523 Ski Run Road, Eagle Creek Ball Fields

Evacuation Warnings: Prepare to Leave

Residents in the following areas are under evacuation warnings and should prepare to leave if necessary:

• Sierra Vista Subdivision
• Sun Valley Subdivision
• Angus Communities
• Ski Run Road
• Alto Area

Evacuation Advisories: Be Ready to Depart

Residents east of Enchanted Loop Communities, extending north toward Nogal, are under evacuation advisories and should be prepared to depart if the situation worsens.

Closure Order Boundaries

The Lincoln National Forest has issued a closure order with the following boundaries:

Western Boundary: Junction of NFSR 400, NFSR 108 Tanbark to NSFR 107, NSFR 107 to Big Bonito trail #36 to junction of Aspen Trail #35, Aspen Trail #35 to junction of Crest Tail #25 to Trail #78, and Trail #78 to Forest Boundary.

Southern Boundary: Forest Boundary from Trail #78 going east 4.75 miles and north for 1/10 of a mile to road 532, road 532 east to Forest Service Boundary.

Eastern Boundary: Forest Service Boundary heading north about nine miles to NSFR 400.

Northern Boundary: NSFR 400 west to the junction of NSFR 108 Tanbark Canyon, the junction of Rodamaker Trail #20 along NSFR 107 to Big Bonito Trail #36.

This closure will remain in effect until August 23 unless lifted by officials.

Fire Details and Response Efforts

The Blue 2 Fire has ravaged over 3,000 acres with a containment rate of 0%. Smoke from the blaze may be visible from Ruidoso, Capitan, Carrizozo, Mescalero, and surrounding highways.

• Start Date: Friday, May 17, 2024
• Location: White Mountain Wilderness, Smokey Bear Ranger District, Lincoln National Forest
• Size: Estimated 6,213 acres
• Structures Burned: N/A
• Cause: Lightning

The fire is primarily fueled by dead and down/dead standing trees within an existing burn scar. Response efforts involve 475 personnel.

Shelter Relocation and Animal Assistance

The American Red Cross New Mexico Chapter has relocated its shelter from the Lincoln County Fairgrounds to Capitan High School at 519 Smokey Bear Boulevard in Capitan. Those evacuating who are unable to bring their pets can take them to the Humane Society of Lincoln County or, for large animals, to the fairgrounds in Capitan.

Stay Informed

For updates from forest officials, visit the provided link. Stay tuned to local authorities for further instructions and developments regarding the wildfires and evacuation orders.

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