RUIDOSO, N.M. — Crews reported rain and high humidity minimalized the growth of the South Fork and Salt Fires in the Ruidoso area Thursday.
The South Fork Fire grew 1,073 acres while the Salt Fire grew 581 acres between Tuesday night and Thursday night. It’s a stark contrast from Tuesday when, in one day, the South Fork Fire grew 1,355 acres while the Salt Fire grew 681 acres.
The rain and high humidity meant crews didn’t get to do an aerial scan for acreage Wednesday night so these estimates in size for each fire come from their scan Thursday night:
- South Fork Fire: 16,349 acres (was 15,276 acres Tuesday night; 5,252 acres Monday night)
- Salt Fire: 7,652 acres (was 7,071 acres Tuesday night; 3,102 acres Monday night)
There are now 1,006 personnel working the fires. There is still no containment of either fire.
We learned Friday that the FBI is now assisting state, federal and tribal investigators working to figure out how the fires started. The FBI is asking anyone with information that can help with their investigation to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
Officials say the precipitation varied between substantial rain and hail, as much as 1.62 inches, to sprinkles and scattered showers throughout Thursday and into the night. The cooler temperatures and moderate fire conditions will likely continue Friday.
The focus is to construct firelines with hand crews and personnel on bulldozers working to protect homes, properties and critical infrastructure.
On the South Fork Fire, they will use hand tools, handlines and dozer lines to extinguish smoldering fuels directly at the fire’s edge. They will also use machinery to build firelines and conduct mopping operations. They’ll also work to get rid of material that could spread the fire beyond control lines.
On the Salt Fire will construct control lines Friday. They will also prepare new lines where needed and work to protect homes and critical infrastructure.
Flash flooding is still a risk, like on Wednesday when officials had to pull crews from the firefight. Utilities, such as electricity, water, internet and phones, are still shut down too. That will impact communications, which will make it difficult to get in touch with people.
A community meeting happened Thursday, in conjunction with the launch of a wildfire dashboard with real-time updates.
Impact
Officials estimate the fires have impacted around 1,400 structures. The fires have claimed the lives of two people, New Mexico State Police confirmed Wednesday.
NMSP says on Tuesday morning they found one person dead inside a burned vehicle on Rainier Road in Ruidoso. They haven’t identified the person due to the condition police found them.
NMSP also says they found one man dead with numerous burns near the Swiss Chalet Motel in Ruidoso. They identified him as 60-year-old Patrick Pearson.
Evacuations
In “GO” immediate evacuation status are these places:
South Fork Fire: Village of Ruidoso (all); Ruidoso Downs (all); Brady Canyon; Ponderosa Heights; Alpine Village; Cedar Creek; Lower Eagle Creek; Alto Lakes; Sonterra 1-3; All Alto to Outlaw Golf Course; Sun Valley; Sierra Vista; Villa Madonna; Ski Run Road; All West Highway 48; All Gavilan Canyon Road; Highway 48-McDonald’s
The evacuation route is U.S. Highway 70 and out toward Roswell.
According to officials in the Village of Ruidoso, there are no open roads into Ruidoso. They also say New Mexico State Police will have roadblocks at all entry points and will not let you pass.
Salt Fire: Chatto Bluff, Apache Summit, Fantasy Lane, “homes along Highway 70 from Highway 244 to the east Reservation line,” Bear Canyon, and Snow Canyon
If you are having trouble finding a loved one due to the evacuations, the Village of Ruidoso is pointing people to these resources:
- American Red Cross Reunification: 800-733-2767
- Ruidoso Reunite Facebook group
- Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station 1 in Ruidoso: 202-794-5044.
The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management also advises the following:
“Please do not self-dispatch trailers to Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Folks who want to help with evacuating horses, contact the Agro Guard hotline at 575-646-9191. Get more information at dhsem.nm.gov/nmwildfires.”
Shelters
Roswell: Eastern New Mexico University gym; Church on the Move; Roswell Convention Center; Godfrey Athletic Center at NMMI. Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds is also open as an animal shelter.
The Red Cross is reporting that 270 people have checked into shelters in Roswell. If you’re looking for a loved one who evacuated, reach out to Roswell police at 575-622-7200. Keep in mind that smoke is impacting air quality in Roswell.
- Alamogordo: Christ Community Church
- Capitan: Capitan High School (120 people checked in, per officials)
- Mescalero: Inn of the Mountain Gods, Mescalero Rodeo Grounds (Livestock; call 575-464-9878 if you need help with hauling your livestock)
- Lovington: Lea County Fairgrounds (animal shelter, RV hookups; contact Wyatt Duncan at 575-333-0252)
The Facebook group “Reunite Ruidoso” is also up and running to reconnect loved ones. Click here to get to the group.
If you evacuated and need your prescription medication refilled, the Village of Ruidoso is working with local pharmacies to get evacuated residents their medications.
For Lincoln County Medical Center/Presbyterian, call 844-505-7737. The New Mexico Board of Pharmacy authorizes Presbyterian to refill prescriptions in emergencies like this.
For Sierra Blanca Pharmacy, call 575-937-0663.
Community Response
If you’re wondering about ways to help people impacted by the fire, we have a running list here:
- Here’s how to help people impacted by South Fork Fire and Salt Fire
Road closures
- U.S. Highway 70, mile marker 249 (4 miles east of Mescalero) to mile marker 258 (2 miles east of Carrizo); at Apache Summit
- State Highway 48, from Alpine Village to State Highway 220; at Apache Summit
Fire response
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero, U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln County, Otero County, Village of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and the state Forestry Division are all responding with air tankers and ground resources, like dozers, heavy equipment and engines. Additional resources are on order.
According to the City of Alamogordo, the fire department is ready to deploy resources to Ruidoso to help address any structure loss. The Alamogordo Police Department has also been mobilized for possible traffic control. The city also has the Civic Center on standby as a possible evacuation place.
Background
The Salt Fire began Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Otero County, southwest of Ruidoso. The Salt Fire was an estimated 1,751 acres as of 7:24 p.m., and 35 acres as of 5:15 p.m.
The South Fork Fire was first reported at 9 a.m. Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, west of Ruidoso. Officials estimated it at 20 acres around 1 p.m. Monday but it exploded in growth. By 7 p.m., the fire grew to an estimated 2,250 acres and then to 4,156 acres a half hour later.
The explosive growth prompted mandatory evacuations for the entire Village of Ruidoso at around 6:48 p.m. Officials warned the fire was headed directly toward the village.
“We were getting ready to sit down to a meal and the alert came on: Evacuate now, don’t take anything or plan to pack anything, just evacuate,” resident Mary Lou Minic said. “And within three to five minutes, we were in the car, leaving.”
The Ruidoso Convention Center was the evacuation center for the fire. However, they had to move it to Capitan High School because of the mandatory evacuations. Officials also directed people to a loved one’s home outside of the affected area or to Roswell.
As a reminder too, if you see any hot ash spots or active fire, call 911.
The Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority is handling 911 calls for the Village of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Call them if you need assistance.
The Southwest Area Team 5 took over the fire Wednesday at 6 a.m.
