By KCBD Staff
Published: Jun. 17, 2024 at 3:44 PM CDT|Updated: Jun. 19, 2024 at 3:17 PM CDT
UPDATE: New Mexico State Police say two people have now died in this fire as of Wednesday afternoon.
UPDATE: Wednesday, June 19 - The South Fork Fire, discovered on June 17, 2024, has rapidly grown to 16,335 acres with 0% containment, causing the loss of approximately 1,400 structures and forcing the evacuation of around 8,000 people. It is burning on Mescalero Tribal, US Forest Service land, and areas around the Village of Ruidoso. The Salt Fire, also active, covers 7.071 acres on Mescalero Reservation. Both fires will be managed by a Complex Incident Management Team starting June 19. Road closures are also in effect. There has been one confirmed fatality.
MAP: Incident Status Dashboard (arcgis.com)
LINK: South Fork Fire Information Hub
=====
RUIDOSO, New Mexico (NEWS RELEASE) - Update: According to KOB.com, the New Mexico governor’s office has confirmed at least one person has died in the Ruidoso fires.
The Salt Fire has burned 5,550 acres and also has 0% containment.
So far, the South Fork has burned 15,261 acres and has 0% containment.
An estimated 500 structures have been impacted by this fire.
UPDATE: Ruidoso Downs is now under immediate evacuation.
UPDATE: The Village of Ruidoso says that the Salt Fire’s progression slowed somewhat during the night. The fire is creeping through difficult, mountainous terrain south of Ruidoso. Aircraft will be able to identify the spots closest to Ruidoso Downs and will seek to perform air attack today.
Crews worked together last night to stop the fire’s spread and providing structure protection where they could. Currently fire behavior is creeping, but a concern today is increased winds that could push the fire further to the east and the northeast.
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.
Due to lack of cell service in the area, crews will work to set up communication lines. Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 – a Complex Incident Management Team – will arrive today for inbriefing, and will assume command of the fire at 0600, tomorrow, June 19.
The South Fork Fire was discovered at 9 a.m., Monday, June 17, 2024; it is burning on Mescalero Tribal land, US Forest Service land and within the areas surrounding Ruidoso. Yesterday fire growth was rapid with extreme fire behavior and long-range spotting and intense heat with plume domination may occur this afternoon and evening. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
PREVIOUS STORY:
An immediate evacuation is set for the village of Ruidoso, according to a social media post by the official Village of Ruidoso Facebook page.
Officials in Ruidoso issued the evacuations at 6:48 p.m. Monday. The entire village, from Sudderth/Mechem to Freedom Bloom at Big O Tire, was told not to try and gather belongings or protect their homes, simply “GO NOW.”
Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management: Ruidoso Emergency Management: A wildfire is moving towards Upper Canyon / Brady Canyon.
Sonterra 1, Sonterra 3 and Enchanted Forest are also in “GO” status.
The South Fork Fire was first reported around 10:50 a.m. (Mountain Time) Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation west of Ruidoso.
Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed so the only route for evacuation is on Sudderth to Highway 70 and out to Roswell.
Air quality is likely to be reduced in Roswell because of the smoke.
Village officials also advise that there is hot ash from the South Fork Fire that is falling in parts of Alto and along Airport Road. If you see any hot ash spots or active fire, they advise you to call 911.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Mescalero Agency is the lead agency on these fires.
These areas are also in “SET” status and must be ready for a “GO” evacuation notification:
- West Gavilan Canyon
- Sierra Vista
- Villa Madonna
- Ski Run Road
- Sun Valley
- All of West Highway 48
The Village of Ruidoso has issued a “Go” status for the Upper Canyon and Brandy Canyon. Anyone in that area needs to evacuate immediately. When evacuating, take Main Road to NM 48.
Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.
For more information, visit our Facebook page and tune into 1490 AM. https://alrt.se/u/vExCxsmk4
Source: https://alrt.se/u/vExCxsmk4
Copyright 2024 KCBD. All rights reserved.
