New Mexico wildfires burn 23,000 acres amid Ruidoso evacuations

Lina PortmanJune 21, 2024

0 2 minutes read

New Mexico wildfires burn 23,000 acres amid Ruidoso evacuations

Staff reports
| Las Cruces Sun-News

Two wildfires in southern New Mexico have consumed approximately 23,000 acres, prompting the mandatory evacuation of residents and tourists from the communities of Ruidoso, Mescalero and Ruidoso Downs, sandwiched between the fires.

The fast-growing South Fork Fire began Monday, June 17, inside the Lincoln National Forest and on the lands of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Firefighters battling the fire in windy conditions also face the salt fire.

The South Fork Fire destroyed 1,400 structures as of Tuesday evening, according to an update from the New Mexico State Forestry Division, although it is not yet clear how many of them could be homes , and there is still no containment on either of the two. forest fires Tuesday evening.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that one person had died as a result of the fires.

Wednesday's forecast calls for more sunshine with a high of 84 degrees and a southeast wind of 10 to 15 mph. After 3 p.m., the National Weather Service forecasts showers and thunderstorms in the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport area.

Where are the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire burning?

Fires are burning in Otero and Lincoln counties, as well as Mescalero Apache tribal lands.

Firefighters feared the wind could push the South Fork Fire, burning the national forest, tribal lands and areas surrounding Ruidoso further east and northeast. As of Wednesday afternoon, the South Fork Fire had charred 16,335 acres.

The Salt Fire is also burning in the Mescalero Reservation and southwest of Ruidoso. It consumed 7,071 acres southeast of the South Fork Fire.

How did the South Fork Fire start?

An investigation is underway, but the fire was discovered at 9:07 a.m. Monday. It spread quickly and firefighters witnessed “extreme fire behavior.”

Is there an evacuation map for the Ruidoso area?

Authorities placed the entire communities of Ruidoso, Mescalero and Ruidoso Downs under mandatory evacuation. To view an interactive map showing the perimeter of the fire, go to Ruidoso-NM.gov and scroll down.

A new, larger group – Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 – took command of the fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Ruidoso is known as an outdoor paradise, attracting hiking, downhill skiing, and golf tourism year-round, but especially during the summer. It is estimated to be home to approximately 7,900 residents, according to the U.S. Census. Mescalero has a population of just under 900, and Ruidoso Downs had a population of about 2,650.

Are the Ruidoso webcams working?

Ruidoso.net, which promotes tourism in the region including lodging, cabin rentals and real estate, hosts three webcams on its homepage.

The Sierra Blanca Camera sits atop the Ruidoso Athletic Club at 415 Wingfield St., and the Midtown Camera sits in the center of the city's entertainment district on Sudderth Drive.

Sierra Blanca was working earlier Tuesday afternoon, showing gray and orange, smoky skies in the background, but by evening it was offline.

Midtown cameras showed a still and deserted downtown for most of Tuesday.

A third webcam, at the Ski Apache resort, is also offline.

Where are the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire burning?

How did the South Fork Fire start?

Is there an evacuation map for the Ruidoso area?

Are the Ruidoso webcams working?

Lina Portman

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