RUIDOSO, N.M. — Authorities issued evacuations for the Blue 2 Fire near Ruidoso in Lincoln County that has now burned almost 1,500 acres.

They advise anyone living along Bonito Lake Road and Forest Service Roads 108 and 107 to GO and evacuate immediately. That is affecting around 45 homes. No homes have been damaged.

People in the Villa Madonna, Sierra Vista and Sun Valley Subdivisions are advised to get SET and ready to evacuate. That covers around 300 homes.

People in the Angus should get READY.

The evacuation center is at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds where they are also accepting large animals for anyone who needs to evacuate and can’t evacuate with them. For all other pets, if you’re evacuating and can’t take them with you, you can bring them to the Humane Society of Lincoln County (575-257-9841).

There is a meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at ENMU-Ruidoso on the fire.

The fire is an estimated 1,478 acres large in the White Mountain Wilderness within the Lincoln National Forest. However, since it is an active fire with 0% containment and heavy smoke, they don’t know the exact size.

Officials say on May 17 they detected two lightning-caused fires in the area that they closely monitored in the week since it started. With high winds, warm temperatures and dry conditions, especially on Memorial Day weekend, there is a greater urgency with concerns about the fire spreading.

If you’re planning to hike in this area, beware – there are trail closures.

The fire is burning dead and down trees and standing dead trees left after the Little Bear Fire in 2012. The Little Bear Fire closed Bonito Lake, which recently reopened for Memorial Day weekend but closed again due to the Blue 2 Fire.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office offered a briefing Friday morning.

For more on wildfire preparedness and the Ready, Set, Go! action guide, click here.