Governor declares emergency as Ruidoso wildfires expand; at least two people dead
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Ruidoso's Salt Fire and South Fork Fire consumed more than 23,400 acres as of Wednesday morning, and both are still zero percent contained according to a spokesperson with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
According to the Village of Ruidoso, The South Fork Fire is up to 16,335 acres while the Salt Fire sits at 7,071.
Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, an estimated 1,400 structures had been lost and some 8,000 people evacuated from the area, according to the Village of Ruidoso's website.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a State of Emergency Tuesday.
On X, Governor Lujan Grisham wrote, "This morning, I declared a State of Emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, authorizing additional funding and resources to manage this crisis."
The governor also confirmed that one person has died in the wildfires, according to CBS News.
No details on the identity of the person or how they died were provided.
New Mexico State Police also confirmed that skeletal remains were found in a car.
Read the full Executive Order here;
Ruidoso's South Fork Fire burned more than 15,200 acres and is zero percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
Similarly, the nearby Salt Fire has burned roughly 5,550 acres and is also zero percent contained.
More than 2,000 people are without power from Ruidoso to Alto Lake.
On Tuesday, the Village took to social media reminding residents that Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Lincoln County are in "full evacuation mode," adding that all roads into Ruidoso are closed and that the New Mexico State Police have set up roadblocks at all entry points.
According to the New Mexico State Forestry Division (NMSFD), a group of specialists known as a complex incident management team will arrive in the area and receive a briefing Tuesday afternoon before "[assuming] command of the fire" beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
In a series of updates, NMSFD noted that the South Fork Fire has impacted some 500 structures.
NMSFD said the "concern" on Tuesday is "increased winds that could push the fire further to the east and the northeast."
Unreliable cell service in the area has been a problem for emergency responders and crews will be working to set up new communication lines, NMSFD said.
Meanwhile, NMSFD said that the Salt Fire, burning just south of Ruidoso, "slowed somewhat during the night."
As such, aircraft will reportedly be able to pick out spots closest to Ruidoso Downs and "seek to perform [an] air attack" on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in El Paso issued its forecast for the region on Wednesday, which includes storm chances around 4 p.m. with the potential of large hail and severe winds.
The South Fork Fire began Monday morning, prompting a mandatory evacuation order for the entire Village of Ruidoso and surrounding areas that evening.
When the initial evacuation order was sent out, the Village asked residents not to gather their belongings or try to protect their homes.
So far, both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed so, according to the Village of Ruidoso, the only route for evacuation is on Sudderth to Highway 70 and out to Roswell.
State Highway 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Highway 220.
US 70 is closed from mm 249 (at NM 244), four miles east of Mescalero to mm 258 2 miles east of Carrizo.
The Village of Ruidoso provided the following information on emergency shelters:
The South Fork Fire began Monday morning on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, about two to three miles from Ruidoso's limited in the Upper Canyon, the village's official Facebook page reported.
Visit this Ruidoso government website for the latest information or visit Village of Ruidoso's Facebook or X accounts to see the latest updates.
For information or assistance regarding the South Fork Fire or other emergencies, you can call the Emergency Operations Center at 575-258-6900.
Mescalero Apache added that residents of its Reservation should head to an evacuation center at the Community Center Gymnasium.
To view a real-time map of fires in the area, click here followed by the "Open in Map Viewer" button in the top right corner.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham released a statement,
“My administration is in close contact with state, tribal and federal officials about the status of these fast-moving fires, and we are quickly deploying as many resources as possible to protect people and property.
I strongly urge residents of Ruidoso and the surrounding areas to remain calm and heed official instructions to help minimize risk.
I want to thank all first responders and others who are battling these fires, managing the evacuation and providing crucial emergency services, including the town of Roswell which rapidly stood up shelter for evacuees. New Mexicans always pull together in times of need, and this time is no different.”
New Mexico Representative for the 56th District Harlan Vincent issued a statement as well,
The South Fork Fire has expanded at a rapid pace this afternoon and has displaced all of Ruidoso’s residents. Currently, Ruidoso’s residents, including myself and my family, are currently scrambling to leave the village. I’m calling on the Governor to declare an emergency immediately, so the Federal Government can support the Village. To all of our fire crews and first responders, thank you for your bravery and commitment. I strongly urge everyone to follow their instructions during this time. I will continue to monitor this situation and work with our state and federal partners in any way I can.
The Las Cruces Fire Department issued a statement that reads,
Our thoughts are with fellow New Mexicans impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires. We hope that conditions are favorable for the fire crews that are deployed.
Dona Ana County's Interim County Manager, Stephen Lopez, said,
The fire disaster affecting Ruidoso and surrounding areas is tragic, but we will support our friends and neighbors. We have already committed some personnel and equipment to the response, and are ready to send more as they are needed. In the meantime, we encourage anyone wanting to help to consider making cash donations through either the Greatest Needs Impact Fund or through the American Red Cross.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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