Moser Fire Cloudcroft Mid Day Update 5-21-24

Moser Fire Cloudcroft Mid Day Update 5-21-24Photo by2nd Life Media

The Moser Fire remains at 0% contained this morning; however, containment lines built yesterday held overnight. Crews have built containment lines around approximately 80% of the fire.

Containment numbers are expected to increase as fire officials continue securing the fire’s perimeter. Fire activity overnight was minimal due to lower temperatures and higher humidity levels. The Lincoln National Forest crews and several other agencies are responding to the Moser Fire about four miles east of Cloudcroft.

Right now, there are mandatory evacuations in the Quarris Acres and Cloud Country West RV subdivisions, according to the Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority.

Officials say the fire has burned 25 acres. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Today crews will continue building direct fire containment lines around the remaining 20% of the fire. They will also be patrolling for any hotspots along the edge of the fire and laying over a mile of fire hose. Once the hoses are in place, water will be pumped to the fire and crews will begin to extinguish hotspots and work their way towards the interior of the fire.

Highway 82 remains closed from the upper junction of Highway 244 to Dry Canyon Road.

Smoke: Expect to continue to see smoke over the coming days.

Evacuations: All evacuations remain in place.Fire and county officials will reevaluate the need for evacuations today.

GO Status: Areasfrom mile marker 21-23 on the north side of highway 82 are in mandatory GO status evacuations. This includes Alpine Rd., Hollywood Blvd., Pine Ridge Loop Rd., Wildwood Loop, and all roads connected to these main roads.

SET Status: Areas on the south side of Highway 82 from mile marker 21-23 are in SET evacuation status.

For reference the fire is located between mile marker 20-21. Review the national READY, SET, GO evacuation statuses at tinyurl.com/NMForestryREADYSETGO.

(Evacuations are being handled by Otero County, for updates visit www.facebook.com/people/Tularosa-Basin-Regional-Dispatch-Authority/100091541917115/15.)

Also the Blue Fire is currently burning in theWhite Mountain Wilderness of Lincoln National Forest.

The fire, ignited by lightning May 17, has consumed about 15 acres.

The fire is being monitored, as the Forest Service said it would allow the fires to take "their natural course as much as possible."

Red flag warnings issued across the southeast New Mexico region

The National Weather Service Midland/Odessa station forecast temperatures May 19 in excess of 113 degrees Fahrenheit in the region spanning the Guadalupe Mountains and Rio Grande through Tuesday.