Crews are working to keep the flames of a fast-moving wildfire from getting any closer to one southern New Mexico resort town.
The lightning-sparked Little Bear fire burning in the Sierra Blanca mountain range near Ruidoso exploded over the weekend.
Fierce winds helped it to increasing tenfold in one day. It doubled in size again and has now charred more than 54 square miles.
An estimated 35 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and fire managers expect that number to grow once damage assessments can be done.
Fire information officer Karen Takai says ground crews will be getting help from water-dropping helicopters Monday thanks to more favorable weather conditions.
Authorities put Ruidoso residents on notice to be ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. Village spokeswoman Kerry Gladden says evacuations in subdivisions outside the village have already effected at least 2,000 people.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Location: Smokey Bear Ranger District, Lincoln NF, including White Mountain Wilderness
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine
Size: approx. 34,561 acres
Containment: 0 %
Resources Committed:
Personnel: 429, crews: 8 Type 1, 1 Type 2; engines: 47; helicopters: 4 Type 1
2 Type 2, 1 Type 3; dozers: 10; water tenders: 7
Structures destroyed: 35 (damage assessment begins today)
Road Closures: NM 532 (Ski Run Road) at mile marker 3, east and west; NM 48 from mile marker 8 to mile marker 13, north and south; NM 37 from mile marker 0 to mile marker 8, north and south; and NM 220 from mile marker 1 to mile marker 13, north and south.
Area Closures The entire White Mountain Wilderness, and that portion of the Smokey Bear Ranger District south of NM 380 to the Mescalero Apache Reservation boundary, including a large area northeast of Ruidoso.
Summary: Higher humidity and lower wind speeds, combined with the arrival of additional personnel and equipment provide an opportunity to make progress today. Firefighters plan to hold and improve line around the ski area, and build line north along the western front. Crews will continue to improve direct line on the north, while building indirect line into Nogal Canyon. On the eastern edge, containment line is in place, but crews will be mopping up and protecting structures. On the southeastern flank, dozer line will be improved, and along NM 532, line preparation and burnout is planned. Dozer line construction continues around Eagle Lake toward Sierra Blanca Peak.
Community meetings will be conducted in the main gymnasium of Ruidoso High School, 125 Warrior Road at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A community meeting will also be conducted at the fairgrounds in Capitan at 7:00 p.m.
A community meeting will be conducted on the Mescalero Apache Reservation at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, in the Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Evacuations: All campgrounds west of Bonito Lake; subdivisions of Villa Madonna, Enchanted Forest, Nogal Canyon (Forest Road 400, campground and summer homes), Angus, Sierra Vista, Sonterra (1, 2 and 3), Copper Canyon, and Loma Grande; Eagle Lakes Campground, Eagle Creek summer homes, Ski Run Road (State Highway 532) at mile marker 3, State Highway 48 to Capitan, and State Highway 37 to Highway 380 and Ski Apache. This list may not be all inclusive.
The evacuation of Rancho Ruidoso has been lifted and NM220 has been opened to the airport.
Shelters: Ruidoso High School at 125 Warrior Road, and Trinity Baptist Church in Capitan. Pets and livestock may be taken to J Bar J Country Church in Ruidoso, or the fairgrounds in Capitan.
The Incident Management team, in conjunction with the State Emergency Operations Center and the Lincoln County Emergency Manager has assembled a damage assessment team. This team will begin work today to dtermine the number and condition of structures within the burned area. Those concerned about status of their property may contact Kathy with American Red Cross at 575-420- 8954, and leave their contact information.
This information will be passed on to the county Sheriff’s office.
An Air Quality Alert was issued at 9:05 p.m. June 10, by the National Weather Service and New Mexico Department of Health for Angus, Fort Stanton, Glencoe, Lincoln, San Patricio, Hondo, Tinnie, Picacho, and Sunset. This alert remains in effect for June 11. The City of Roswell is also being affected by heavy smoke. Information on wildland fire smoke and your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health's website at:http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/