RUIDOSO, N.M. — Forest recovery efforts are continuing in southern New Mexico, where the U.S. Forest Service has completed this year’s reforestation work in the Blue 2 Fire burn scar within the Lincoln National Forest.
The Blue 2 Fire, sparked by lightning in 2024, burned nearly 8,000 acres about eight miles north of Ruidoso. As part of ongoing recovery efforts, Forest Service crews planted approximately 40,000 ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seedlings across 300 acres of burned forest.
Officials say reforestation projects help accelerate natural forest recovery following severe wildfires. The newly planted trees are intended to restore forest cover, improve wildlife habitat, reduce erosion, and support long-term watershed health in areas heavily impacted by fire.
The tree-planting effort marks the completion of reforestation work in the Blue 2 Fire burn scar for 2026.
Looking ahead, the Forest Service plans to begin similar restoration efforts in the South Fork Fire burn scar near Ruidoso in 2028 as recovery continues across fire-damaged portions of the Lincoln National Forest.
