Containment of Blue Front Fire Reaches 52% Near Ruidoso As Weather Aids Firefighting Efforts

The wildfire designated as the Blue Front Fire, which began on October 28th, has now consumed 323 acres of land located 4 miles west of Alto and 9 miles northwest of Ruidoso, within the Blue 2 wildfire footprint in the White Mountain Wilderness area. Despite the initial unknown cause and the challenging landscape it inhabits, the fire is currently 52% contained. This effort has been achieved through the dedication of 21 personnel and the deployment of three engines on the ground.

The flora fueling the fire includes a mix of grass, shrubs, and dead or downed vegetation. According to Inciweb , a change in weather with the advent of rain, snow, and increased humidity has helped to lower the fire risk in the area. As a result, firefighters have been able to more effectively work on completing containment lines around the periphery of the fire.



In a strategic decision, the Type 3 organization transferred command to a Type 4 organization at 8 a.m. to continue to efficiently manage suppression activities.

There have been no road closures reported, though caution is advised for anyone traveling in the vicinity of the incident due to the presence of both firefighters and their equipment. Additionally, with hunting season underway, a reminder was issued for hunters to be certain of their targets before firing, to avoid any potential mishaps in the area still populated by fire response teams. The containment efforts are ongoing and weather-dependent, with firefighters set to continue to engage directly and indirectly in full suppression tactics.

As hunters enjoy their opening season and firefighters tirelessly labor to quell the flames, the blanket of snow on Sierra Blanca promises, if not reprieve, then a softening of the land's thirst. Weather forecasts predict an ongoing embrace of precipitation across both the higher and lower elevations in the region. This climactic change has significantly assisted firefighting strategies and is expected to further bolster their suppression efforts in the coming days.

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