RUIDOSO — The U.S. Forest Service reported Saturday afternoon that the Blue 2 Fire burning near Ruidoso was at 14% containment.

The lightning-caused fire eight miles north of Ruidoso in the White Mountain Wilderness Area is listed at 7,457 acres and is being fought by 802 personnel: 17 crews, 32 engines, eight helicopters, three bulldozers and 12 water tenders.

Friday experienced moderate weather, which assisted firefighters in completing additional containment. The southern end of Soldier Mountain gained more containment line as mop up work continued in the area by fire crews on the ground. Additional containment line was achieved on the fire perimeter west of Granite Knob. Firefighters are working hard to be able to mop up along the fire’s edge to prepare for the forecasted hot and dry weather early next week.

Fire crews continued mopping up and securing lines along the 107 A road and Soldier Mountain. Heavy equipment has been successful in progressing the contingency lines that surround the fire. Structure protection will continually have a presence throughout the surrounding communities on both day and night shifts to ensure that communities are being monitored for any changes to the fire. Mop up and patrol continues across the entire fire perimeter. Pumps, sprinklers, and water sources are being used to support structure protection and mop up efforts. Handline on the eastern forest boundary near Enchanted Forest and Sun Valley continue to progress.

Humidity was high during the day until late afternoon which assisted firefighters to continue working safely around the perimeter. Storm clouds were seen at the eastern edge of the fire area, however the fire did not receive any moisture. During the evening there was a drop in humidity due to southwesterly winds that dried out fine fuels. Today, higher humidity and wind is expected. Storm clouds will be seen during the day around the eastern side of the fire. Even though wind and storm clouds are expected, a major increase in fire behavior is not expected.

Smoke production has decreased due to minimal fire activity. Thunderstorms predicted outside of the fire perimeter will produce downflow winds that could move some light smoke into surrounding areas. View an interactive smoke map at fire. airnow.gov.

Evacuation levels remain unchanged. Evacuation shelters are expected to stay open over the weekend. Effort is continually being made by fire crews to ensure that the fire perimeter is safe before repopulation of the surrounding communities. For an interactive evacuation map go to tinyurl. com/Blue2Evacs.

CARLSBAD — In early May, swabs collected from cave Myotis bats in the Left Hand Tunnel area of Carlsbad Cavern and near the Rattlesnake Springs day-use area tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS).

The park is increasing efforts to mitigate the spread of whitenose syndrome to other areas. These steps will include the decontamination of caving and research equipment before and after entry and visitor footwear.

The fungus thrives in cold, damp places where bats hibernate for the winter. It attacks and grows while they’re in an inactive state of hibernation. This damages the bats’ skin and makes them become active, burning fat they need to survive the winter. The park’s colony of migratory Brazilian free-tailed bats is not expected to suffer the same impacts as species that hibernate.

CARLSBAD — The Eddy County Commission will have one public hearing on its docket during a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday in Carlsbad.

Following a period for public comment, the board will host the public hearing to consider an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to New Mexico Gas Co. Inc..

Other items on the agenda include: • an informational presentation regarding the annual site inspection of the Eddy County Detention Center by the county commission, presented by warden Billy Massingill.

• the setting of a meeting to canvass the results of the June 4 Primary Election.

• a presentation and discussion on the Otis gymnasium.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, in Commission Chambers at the Eddy County Administration Complex, 101 W. Greene St., Carlsbad.

MESCALERO — The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and the Mescalero Apache Tribe will host a veterans’ benefits event this week in Mescalero.

VA and Tribal Veterans’ Service Officers, along with other knowledgeable advocates, will be on hand to assist veterans with the completion of VA claims paperwork from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the conference center at Inn of the Mountain Gods.

Claims will be reviewed on the spot with hopes of same-day approval. In addition, spouses and widows/widowers may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) when a veteran dies as a result of these presumptive disabilities.

Employees from the Albuquerque VA Health Care System will be available to enroll veterans in VA health care. As part of the PACT Act process, veterans may also complete toxic health screenings with VA clinicians. Assistance will additionally be available from the Las Cruces Vet Center, the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the VA Loan Guaranty Office.

If you served in the military in any capacity and are unsure if you qualify, you are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and allow VA staff to do research on your behalf.