Firefighters continue to extinguish the Blue 2 fire near Ruidoso

Firefighting progress continued Thursday due to a lightning-caused fire near Ruidoso, according to the New Mexico Division of Forestry.

The Blue 2 Fire has burned 7,532 acres in the White Mountain Wilderness Area, eight miles north of Ruidoso, a New Mexico Forestry news release noted.

The fire was 83% contained as of Thursday morning as 318 personnel continued firefighting operations.

“The entire east side of the fire is now contained. Firefighters continue to work to repair any impacts from suppression efforts,” the press release read.

Firefighters spread grass seeds to begin the revegetation process along the burned area.

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“Crews and equipment install water diversion features to limit erosion,” the press release said.

Law enforcement continues to enforce forest closures while firefighters finish work.

The fire is producing minimal smoke as communities near the fire are seeing good air, according to New Mexico Forestry.

Fire danger remains very high in all forest districts of the Lincoln National Forest, cited a web page.

The weather forecast looks promising

Firefighters have two days of temperatures around 90 degrees on Friday and Saturday to contend with, according to National Weather Service (NWS) Albuquerque-based meteorologists.

Temperatures are expected to cool to near 80 degrees on Sunday and Monday, with chances of rain and thunderstorms ranging from 30% to 70% during the forecast period, read an NWS forecast.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com.

This article originally appeared in the Carlsbad Current-Argus: Fogo Azul 2 near Ruidoso more than 80% contained