Jun 6, 2024 · Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

New Mexico Wildfire Update - FINAL Blue 2, Indios fires

George Ducker

Communications Coordinator

New Mexico State Forestry Division - EMNRD

george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov

505-699-0601

Wildfire Notification #19

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 Complex Incident Management Teams. This will be the final update on these fires unless there are significant changes.

Blue 2 Fire

Highlights: The entire eastern side of the fire is now contained. Firefighters continue work on repairing any impacts from suppression efforts. A virtual community meeting is planned for tonight Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Blue 2 Fire Facebook page. The public will be provided an opportunity to ask questions about fire operations and post-fire recovery.

Operations: Repair of land disturbed by dozer and handline continues. Firefighters spread grass seed to encourage revegetation. Crews and equipment install water diversion features to limit erosion. Excavators pull wind rows of brush back onto the northern dozer line. Masticators continue to work on the Forest boundary, west of the communities. Drones and crews monitor for any detectable hot spots along the remaining uncontained fire edge. Hose lines and sprinklers are backhauled and prepared for return to the national cache. As firefighters finish their work, they leave the incident to return home or head to other fires. Law enforcement continues to enforce the forest closure so firefighters can safely complete their work.

Weather: A significant shift in the weather pattern across the region will result in moderating fire weather conditions, lower wind speeds, and increased relative humidity. Chances of wetting rain are increasing, but storms may bring dry lightning and gusty and erratic outflow winds.

Smoke: The fire is producing minimal smoke. Surrounding communities will see good air. Transported smoke or other particulate matter, may create hazy skies on occasion. The interactive smoke map can still be found at fire.airnow.gov/

Closures: In the interest of public safety, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted due to ongoing firefighter activities. The Forest closure order will continue to remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area.

Evacuations: All evacuation statuses have been lifted. For an interactive evacuation map go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones. Find the TFR at tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/

Acres : 7,532

Start Date : May 16, 2024

Location : 8 miles North of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 318

Fuels : Timber/Grass/Brush

Containment : 83%

Indios Fire

Highlights: Completion has increased to 86% today as crews make more progress toward meeting the objectives for the Indios Fire. Suppression repair activities continue across the fire area, with a focus on the northwest side. The incident management team will provide another opportunity for the public to meet with fire managers and ask questions about the Indios Fire at an open house on Sunday, June 9, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the lecture hall at the Coronado High School, 1903 NM-96, Gallina, NM.

Operations: Crews continued repair activities yesterday as other firefighters patrolled for any remaining hot spots. After conducting a grid search along the perimeter, no areas of concern were identified. Chipping and grading activities were completed along Forest Roads 64 and 77 while work continued along Forest Road 169E. Minimal heat remains on the west side where the fire temporarily crossed the line last week before crews successfully stopped the spread. Hoses will be left in place for the next few days to support continued efforts in that area. Crews surveyed between Forest Roads 42 and 77 and found no remaining hot spots. As a result, hoses and other water infrastructure that are no longer needed were removed from that area. Firefighters have completed their assessment of structures to the south and developed a structure protection plan to assist residents in the event of a future fire in the area. With the completion of this assessment, these crews are now being reassigned to respond to any potential new fire starts near the Indios Fire. Due to successful firefighting efforts, the Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Department has lifted the “Ready” status from the Corrales Ranch. Air operations are beginning to release their resources to support other fires in the region. Currently, two helicopters remain on the Indios Fire, down from seven helicopters at the peak of the fire activity. Today, chipping will continue along Forest Road 169E as crews remain vigilant for any new wildfire starts.

Weather: Today will bring the highest temperatures of the year thus far. Some scattered thunderstorms may form over the fire area, as the chance of rain increases over the weekend. Strong gusty winds up to 20 miles per hour are possible near any storms.

Smoke: Minimal smoke impacts are expected for the foreseeable future. Light dispersed visible smoke will diminish over the next few days. Smoke sensors have been installed and will remain in the communities of Coyote, Gallina, Cañones, and at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. The final smoke outlook report for the Indios Fire is available online at the links below. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ . Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/ .

Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Indios Fire. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are…