Ruidoso, NM, USA - May 31, 2024

On May 31, favorable weather conditions provided a welcome assist to firefighters battling the blaze near Ruidoso, NM, allowing for additional containment efforts in the area. Particularly, the southern end of Soldier Mountain saw increased containment lines as ground crews diligently conducted mop-up operations.

Progress was also noted on the fire perimeter west of Granite Knob, with firefighters intensifying their efforts to secure containment lines in anticipation of forecasted hot and dry weather early the following week.

Operational efforts on May 31 included continued mop-up and line securing along the 107 A road and Soldier Mountain. Heavy equipment proved instrumental in advancing contingency lines around the fire, while structure protection remained a top priority, with dedicated personnel monitoring surrounding communities day and night for any fire-related changes.

Across the entire fire perimeter, mop-up and patrol activities persisted, with pumps, sprinklers, and water sources deployed to support these efforts. Meanwhile, progress was reported on handline construction along the eastern forest boundary near Enchanted Forest and Sun Valley.

Weather conditions on May 31 saw high humidity levels during the day, aiding firefighting operations until late afternoon. Although storm clouds were observed on the eastern edge of the fire area, no moisture was received. However, a drop in humidity occurred during the evening due to southwesterly winds, which dried out fine fuels. Higher humidity and winds were anticipated for the following day, with storm clouds expected around the eastern side of the fire. Despite these conditions, a significant increase in fire behavior was not anticipated.