UPDATED 4:20 PM Latest Road, Area Closures, Community Meetings, Evacuations and Shelters in Ruidoso, NM 6/11/12

CBS 7 News Staff
June 11, 2012

UPDATE 4:20 PM-

Alamogordo, NM - A large portion of the Smokey Bear Ranger District is now closed to public use to protect the health and safety of both the public and the firefighters working on Little Bear Fire. This closure will remain in effect until July 31st or may be rescinded earlier when the area is again safe for public use.

The area closed includes all National Forest lands between Highway 380 and the northern boundary of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. During this closure, forest visitors are encouraged to utilize the Sacramento and Guadalupe Ranger Districts, as well as other state and federal lands, for forest activities. Local communities are still open for business. Please check with the Ruidoso Visitor Center about available accommodations and attractions at 575-257-7395. Permittees, utilities, and entities providing critical services that need access should contact the Smokey Bear Ranger District at 575-257-4095.

Community meetings for residents concerning Little Bear Fire:

Monday, June 11

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.

Tuesday, June 12

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.

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UPDATED 12:20 PM -
Ruidoso, NM - Here's a look at the latest road and area closures, along with scheduled community meetings and current evacuations due to the Little Bear Mountain Fire:

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.

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 determine 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.

For more information and continuous updates:
http://www.ruidoso.net/forestconditions/fires.html