UPDATE: Evacuation orders for Cloudcroft fire lifted
UPDATE: EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Moser Fire, burning about 4 miles east of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, is now 12 percent contained as of Tuesday evening, May 21, and evacuation orders that were issued have now been rescinded.
NMFireInfo.com now lists the fire as being 96 acres. Earlier estimates had it at 145 acres. The website says estimates on the size of fires can change as new information and photos become available.
Evacuation orders for the fire were scheduled to be lifted at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, May 20, according to the Tularosa Regional Dispatch Authority.
Residents can return home but are urged to remain on standby if conditions change.
“Although Highway 82 will reopen at 8 p.m., please be aware that the area is still an active fire scene. We ask drivers to reduce their speed for the safety of our emergency responders,” according to the regional dispatch authority.
The fire started on Monday afternoon and evacuation orders were quickly given for the following areas: Alpine Road; Hollywood Boulevard; Pine Ridge Loop Road; Wildwood Loop; and all roads connected to these main roads.
As of Tuesday evening, all fire lines that were built on Monday are holding, according to NMFireInfo.com.
“Crews have built containment lines around the fire. Containment numbers are expected to increase as fire officials continue securing the fire’s parameter,” according to the multi-agency website that tracks provides information on fires in New Mexico.
Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, volunteer fire departments and U.S. Bureau of Land Management are participating in the operation. They have two bulldozers and a helicopter that are helping too.
The Dusty Boots Motel and Cafe said it has rooms and food for anyone who needs to evacuate.
The next update from fire officials is expected on Wednesday, May 22.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
