Crews managing fires in Lincoln County will transition to lower command structures and assess the burned areas by the end of the week as more preventive restrictions are put in place throughout the county.
The incident management team for both fires released what it said were final, regular updates Wednesday morning. Further updates will be posted online as notable events occur, the release said.
The Bureau of Land Management, Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County each issued fire-related restrictions Tuesday and Wednesday.
The McBride Fire was 89% contained with minimal fire activity as of the Wednesday morning update. Suppression work continued in the Eagle Creek area, with an excavator being used alongside ground crews.
In Nogal Canyon, the fire was 77% contained with crews continuing to monitor and mop up hot spots as needed.
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A total of 450 personnel remain on the fire — 341 on the McBride Fire and 109 on the Nogal Fire. Personnel and other resources are being released to fight other fires in Arizona and New Mexico.
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will begin work Friday to assess the burned areas in both fires to determine potential for increased flooding, sediment flows and rockslides. It is expected to take two weeks to complete their assessment, according to the release.
All evacuations are lifted, but restrictions remain in Nogal Canyon. Only residents are being allowed to go to their homes. Hunters and campers are not allowed in the area until further notice. The canyon remains closed to the public beyond 399 Canyon Road.
A temporary flight restriction affecting drones is still in place for the McBride Fire but has been lifted for the Nogal Canyon Fire.
The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday implemented immediate fire restrictions at Fort Stanton Snowy-River Cave National Conservation Area and BLM managed lands around the community of Lincoln, according to a BLM press release.
Fires including charcoal grills, barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, smoking outdoors and using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic or incendiary devices are prohibited.
Exceptions are pressurized liquid or gas devices with shut-off valves such as stoves, grills and lanterns. Smoking is allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building, developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material.
The Village of Ruidoso issued Level II Fire Restrictions on Wednesday that prohibit the use of charcoal briquettes and outdoor stoves except for gas grills. No smoking is allowed outside on public or private property except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Campfires are also not allowed.
Chainsaws and other equipment with internal combustion engines are allowed with a properly installed spark arresting device, and welding or other torches are allowed with a permit.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners declared a Fire Danger Emergency on Tuesday that will be in effect for 30 days. It bans all all outdoor burning without a permit. Campfires are allowed in designated areas.
The Lincoln National Forest announced on Tuesday Stage 1 fire restrictions, which prohibits any type of fire except in a Forest Service fire structure and smoking, except inside vehicles, buildings, at developed recreation areas or in barren areas. Fireworks are always prohibited.
City/RISD reporter Juno Ogle can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 205, or reporter04@rdrnews.com.
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