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Acres: 6,185
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 0%
Start Date: April 12, 2022
Location: Gavilan Canyon within the Village of Ruidoso
Fuels: Timber, brush, dry grasses
Structures burned: 207 primary structures, multiple outbuildings

Fatalities: 2
 

Highlights: Today, the fire was active within the fire’s perimeter near Ruidoso Middle School.  Unburned pockets of ponderosa pine were ignited, putting up lots of black smoke. Crews and helicopters worked together to keep the fire within control lines.  A Virtual Public Meeting will be held Saturday at 6pm on Facebook. Questions can be submitted in advance by email or through Facebook messaging

Operations: Firefighters focused on the priority of seeking out and mopping up hotspots to remove potential threats to homes along the Gavilan corridor and other areas with values at risk, such as the Homestead Loop further north. Dozers and ground crews continued to work on the northern edge in the rugged, tough country in the Eagle Creek area. On the east side where the fire is burning in old fire scars, crews are scouting for potential control lines, such as old two track roads that dozers can clean up.

Evacuations: The following evacuations have been lifted for Moon Mountain Area: High Loop, Lupin, Starlight, Old Lincoln, Nogal Place etc. East of Hull: McBride, Snowcap, Timberline, Fawn Ridge etc.

Evacuations remain in place for the following: Gavilan Canyon: From Highway 70 to Lower Eagle Creek; Homestead Acres/Lower Eagle Creek; Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates, Deer Valley, Deer Park, and Alto East of Flute Player. The Ruidoso Convention Center is open to evacuees. 

Safety: More evacuations are possible.  Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews safe access the fire. Parts of the Village remain without electricity and gas. PNM, Otero Electric and Zia Natural Gas are working to restore power. Please watch for animals that have been released or escaped. Prepare yourself and your family with a go-bag. Visit ready.gov for more information on evacuation preparation. 

Restrictions/Closures: Closures are in place at Gavilan Canyon from Meander to Highway 48 and Warrior Drive from Hull to Gavilan Canyon. Hull Road remains open but roads east of Hull from Warrior to Lower Eagle Creek like Snowcap, McBride, Timberline etc. remain closed. Road closures are being adjusted based on fire activity.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place: Wildfires are a NO Drone Zone. Flying recreational and media drones within a TFR is illegal and endangers aircraft working on the fire. Drones found in the fire area will result in fire aviation operations being suspended until the area is cleared. If you see drones in the fire area, please report it immediately to law enforcement and the Incident Management Team. If You Fly, We Can’t!

Weather:  Tonight – Mostly clear, temperatures 44-46, humidity 12-16%. West winds 6-15 mph, gusts to 28 mph.

Smoke: Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. 

Fire Information: Public Phone Line 505-356-2636 and Media Phone Line 505-445-8278 

Phone Lines open 8am-8pm           

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8062/

NM Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NogalCanyonFire2022

Email: 2022.mcbride@firenet.gov 
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