Fires burning near Ruidoso now total more than 20K acres
UPDATE: The South Fork Fire is estimated at 15,276 acres with 0 percent containment at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division. About 1,400 structures have been lost.
The Salt Fire is now estimated at 5,557 acres, according to the Forestry Division.
An estimated 8,000 people have been evacuated from the area.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, burning near Ruidoso, New Mexico, have grown significantly overnight, and together are estimated to be close to 20,000 acres as of Tuesday morning, June 18.
The South Fork Fire is currently at 13,921 acres with 0 containment and the Salt Fire is at 4,876 acres with 0 containment, according to the Village of Ruidoso’s Facebook page.
The Governor’s Office reported that one person has died in the fire, but did not offer any further details
About 500 structures have been impacted by the fire, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.
Both fires are around the Mescalero Apache Reservation and near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
“Currently fire behavior is creeping, but a concern today is increased winds that could push the fire further to the east and the northeast,” stated a news release from the New Mexico Forestry Division.
NM governor declares ‘state of emergency’ for area impacted by fire
“Air resources will be active today for as long as it is safe to operate, working in tandem with ground resources from multiple agencies, including tribal, federal, state and local cooperators. This is a full suppression fire, and all available resources are responding to help secure line and perform point protection for homes in and around Ruidoso. Fire response will be broken up into three divisions that will work the fire’s south, east and northeast areas along the fire perimeter. Firefighter safety is a top priority,” according to the NM Forestry Division.
Red Cross has reported 270 individuals checked in to shelters in Roswell, and 120 in Capitan, according to the NM Forestry Division.
The Village of Ruidoso remains closed for mandatory evacuation. Ruidoso Downs has also been ordered to be evacuated.
At around 7 p.m. Monday, June 17, an immediate evacuation order was issued for the entire Village of Ruidoso.
An immediate mandatory “Go” evacuation for the village is still in effect.
The following areas have also been ordered for evacuation or “Go” status and residents are asked not to try to gather belongings or protect their homes:
Sonterra 1
Sonterra 3
Enchanted Forest
The Village of Ruidoso’s Facebook page says the Complex Team will be arriving this afternoon to assume command of the fires.
There will also be “massive air attacks” and dozer lines are currently being cut, the Facebook page said.
All Village of Ruidoso employees are asked to stay where they are until they hear otherwise from their supervisor.
Those with questions can call the following numbers for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC):
(575) 937-7785
(575) 973-5604
(575) 973-8977
The EOC was relocated to the Lincoln County Courthouse in Carrizozo on Monday evening.
Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed so the only route for evacuation is near Hondo on Highway 70 and out to Roswell.
NM Highway 48 is also closed from Alpine Village/University to NM Highway 220.
The Ruidoso Convention Center is not taking any more evacuations and those who are there will shelter in place should the status at the Convention Center change, according to the Facebook page.
Residents and visitors who want to voluntarily evacuate can seek shelter at Capitan High School.
For those who cannot go to Capitan because of the Highway 70 closures, a shelter has been set up at 52 University Blvd. in Roswell.
If you can get there safely, an evacuation center at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center is available for anyone, tribal or non-tribal.
Carrizozo High School located at 800 D Ave., in Carrizozo is also open for evacuees. Motorists can use Hwy 380 through Hondo to access the school.
Lea County Fairgrounds is also available to anyone who is evacuating and has stables as well as RV hookups. Contact Fairgrounds Director Wyatt Duncan at (575) 333-0252 for any questions.
For Mescalero Apache residents, an evacuation center is still available at the Mescalero Community Center Gymnasium.
The New Mexico Forestry Division has also provided a list of shelters in Roswell, New Mexico. Those are the following:
ENMU-R Gymnasium
52 B University Blvd.
Church on the Move
901 W. Brasher
NMMI Godfrey Center
101 W. College
NM Dream Center
2700 W. Second St.
ENM Fairgrounds
RVs and Large Animals
2500 SE Main
Roswell Convention Center
900 N. Main
Roswell Aquatic Center
1500 W. College
Those with pets can take them to the Humane Society of Lincoln County located at 25962 U.S. Highway 70 in Ruidoso.
Livestock can be held at the Mescalero Rodeo Grounds. You can call (575) 464-9878 if you need help with hauling your livestock.
People with livestock and RVs can head to the Eastern New Mexico state fairgrounds at 2500 SE Main St. in Roswell.
The Otero County Electric Cooperative has been requested to shut power off in the area around Penn Scott Drive and Cow Camp due to wildfires in the area. It is unknown when service will be restored. Interactive outage maps can be accessed at www.ocec-inc.com.
The City of Alamogordo says it’s sending a team of firefighters to Ruidoso. Alamogordo Police have also mobilized to potentially assist with any traffic control needs.
Also, staff at the Alamogordo Civic Center has been placed on standby and is ready to open the facility as needed.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement on Monday that her administration has been in “close contact” with state, tribal, and federal officials and they are deploying as “many resources as possible to protect people and property.”
The cause of the fires is currently under investigation.
This story will be updated when we receive more information.
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