Ruidoso High to reopen Thursday as crews continue battling Moon Mountain Fire

A public meeting is being held in the same building many feared a wildfire would burn down just 24 hours ago.

A lot of progress was made overnight to save Ruidoso High School from the Moon Mountain Fire, which is only 40 percent contained.

Officials expect to get a much better grip on it since the wind is no longer fanning the flames.

“The firefighters right now are trying to mop up the fire you know basically just take care of some of the smaller flames and smoke that is still coming up and the wind makes that really challenging,” Rico Smith with Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday.

According to the New Mexico wildfire information website, the Moon Mountain fire has charred 125. Right now, 200 firefighters are on working round the clock, and a specially trained hotshot crew crossed the fireline and is working from the inside to put the fire out.

Additionally, air attacks also continue which is why state officials tell anyone with a drone to keep them grounded until further notice.

The public is being updated on the firefighting efforts at Ruidoso High School during the meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. After a few days of staying home, it’s back to the classroom tomorrow morning for students and teachers at Ruidoso High.

Also open is Warrior Drive in Ruidoso, which reopened Wednesday afternoon. However, the public has been asked to stay away from the fire zone because any added traffic could hurt firefighting efforts.

The ABC-7 New Mexico Mobile Newsroom got a first-hand look at what it takes to fight a wildfire like the Moon Mountain Fire. ABC-7 reporter Jamie Warren and photographer Sam Smith were alongside crews as they suited up and headed into the burning forest.

This week is Wildfire Awareness Week in New Mexico and Arizona. Federal and state agencies ask that you take a few moments and learn how to reduce the risk of fires in the wilderness. To view an outreach tool kit, click here.