Affected by Ruidoso fires? Here are financial resources to help
The shell of a building burned by the South Fork Fire is seen in Alto, near Ruidoso. (Photo courtesy Shelley McGarvey)
Unemployment, FEMA and insurance aid available
By Brook Stockberger
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – Jim McGarvey has worked at the Western NAPA Auto Parts store in the Village of Ruidoso for 46 years. Thirteen years ago, he and his wife Shelley bought the store.
On June 17, though, the couple had to evacuate along with their seven employees and the town’s approximately 7,800 other residents as the South Fork and Salt forest fires barreled down on the village.
Shelley said they’ve been through forest fires before, but “this is the worst ever.”
After evacuating to stay with family in Las Cruces, the McGarveys returned to Ruidoso to open their store for emergency personnel and their vehicles. It was partially open.
“(They need) batteries and parts and different things,” Shelley said.
Authorities began letting Ruidoso residents return Monday, June 24. There were some snags.
“For residents only; they have had checkpoints checking everyone,” Shelley said. “Our employees are back. Two of them couldn’t get in because of the addresses on their licenses. They said ‘Alto’ instead of ‘Ruidoso,’ but they got to come back today.”
Shelley said business has not returned to normal, though.
“There are definitely more locals than before, but it will be a slow process,” she said. “We’re still dealing with no phone, no internet, and very spotty cell service.”
Still, though, many other businesses are starting to open.
Shelley says that the damage is not visible from the road in a lot of places.
“If you went through the main part of town, Midtown and Mechem, it would be difficult to understand the catastrophic damage,” she said.
Some 1,400 structures are estimated to have been damaged or destroyed. Domestic and wild animals are roaming the streets.
“There’s horses all over the place,” she said. “There’s been some right in front of the store. I saw an elk in town eating from a tree. We’ve been setting out dog food” for displaced animals.
Shelley said theirs wasn’t the only business to open to help.
“Some people showed up to open the Albertsons so people could get food. Bless them,” she said.
The McGarveys aren’t alone in experiencing a disruption to their income. Employees across the village lost work. And, while donations are helping alleviate the strain, some residents have said the out-of-pocket expenses they incurred while evacuating have been a hardship. Homeowners and business owners will be consulting insurance companies over their losses.
Here are several resources that can help if you were affected by the fires.
Unemployment assistance
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions hopes to soon begin offering Disaster Unemployment claims.
“If your employment has been affected by the South Fork or Salt fires the department is waiting for federal approval and guidance to begin taking claims,” the NMDWS reports.
In the meantime, you may file a Standard Unemployment Insurance claim, which will be the first step in the process.
You can do so online at www.jobs.state.nm.us or via phone at 1-877-664-6984 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Do not reach out to the Workforce Connections Center in Ruidoso, though. It is closed. The fire resource hot line is 1-833-663-4736.
You are eligible for the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if:
You were employed, self-employed or were scheduled to begin work but are not able to work due to the disaster.
Are unable to reach your place of employment due to disaster related conditions.
You can no longer work due to physical damage to your place of employment.
If you can establish that your employment was your principal source of income.
You cannot work because you were injured as a direct result of the disaster.
If you became the breadwinner or major support of the household because of the death of the primary breadwinner of the household due to the disaster.
The DUA weekly benefits are payable only within the Disaster Assistance Period determined by the federal disaster declaration imposed by the president.
Insurance aid available
Shelley said despite the sudden downturn in business, they still have financial responsibilities.
“We’re not sure what’s going to happen,” Shelley said. “We’re talking to our insurance company right now.”
If you’re having trouble reaching your insurance company or accessing your policy, you can reach out to the office of the New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance at 1-833-485-1336 or go online to www.osi.state.nm.us.
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane issued an emergency order on June 18.
“This is necessary to protect access to insurance and the stability of the insurance markets during the emergency,” Kane said. “Residents who have left their homes may have lost access to records and documents that would assist them in filing claims.”
The State of New Mexico has ordered insurers who write property, homeowner, automobile, or healthcare policies for the next 120 days shall:
Provide a grace period for payment of premiums and offer a payment plan.
Waive deductibles.
Postpone cancellations and non-renewals.
Extend reporting requirements for claim submissions.
Contact the New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance at www.osi.state.nm.us for additional information.
Fire and flood insurance
Severe thunderstorms in recent days have caused flooding in burn scars in the area.
“There’s been a lot of black, sooty water and flooding from the rain,” Shelley said.
Most fire damage is covered by standard insurance policies. However, flood damage typically is not and requires a separate policy.
“A standard homeowners policy covers destruction and damage caused by fire, which includes wildfires,” reports the Insurance Information Institute.
On its website, iii.org, the institute reports the typical business owner’s policy covers property fire damage to the building, office space and equipment and inventory. Business income, or business interruption, insurance (BI) covers the profits a business would have earned, as well as the additional operating expenses incurred as a result of the disaster (such as the cost of operating out of a temporary location).
As for flood damage, though, there is no coverage for flooding in standard homeowners or renter’s policies or in most commercial property insurance policies according to the Institute.
Disaster aid
The State of New Mexico’s Disaster Case Managers and representatives of other state agencies are available to coordinate resources at the Roswell Convention and Civics Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week at 912 N. Main St., Roswell, NM 88201.
On Thursday, President Biden declared a major disaster in New Mexico, authorizing federal aid to assist state, tribal and local recovery efforts.
Federal assistance will be available to individuals in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and additional programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the disaster, the White House posted on its website.
Affected residents and business owners can apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or through the FEMA App.
Brook Stockberger is a freelance writer based in Las Cruces. The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
For More Info
Inn of the Mountain Gods
Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero, New Mexico operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, announced that it remains open and its convention center is available to evacuees of the nearby South Fork and Salt Fires. Donations for evacuees may be dropped off at the convention center.
Helpful Phone Numbers
· Tribal Emergency Operation Center (EOC): 575-464-9214
· Fire Updates: 575-323-8258
· Donation Information: 575-464-9920
· NM Workforce Solutions: 1-833-663-4736
· NM Superintendent of Insurance: 1-833-485-1336
· FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For More Information
· Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov
· Mescalero Apache Tribe: www.mescaleroapachetribe.com
· Workforce Solutions: www.jobs.state.nm.us
· NM Superintendent of Insurance: www.osi.state.nm.us
· FEMA: www.DisasterAssistance.gov
KRWG: Authorities assess Ruidoso’s damaged infrastructure
By Jonny Coker & Courtney Hill
KRWG Public Media
Trees continued to smolder along U.S. Highway 70 as residents and officials assessed damage surrounding Ruidoso.
Kerry Gladden, public information officer for the village, asked for patience as some areas of town are still restricted to the public, even if they aren’t necessarily burned.
“We cannot allow people back in there until they've been swept by the strike canine teams for human remains. All of those places are considered crime scenes right now because this fire is under investigation. We just can't let that happen.”
And while the official cause of the fires is still under investigation, the FBI is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the cause of the fires, offering $10,000 for, “information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.”
Hear the full story at KRWG Public Media’s site.
Ruidoso in full-fledged recovery mode as fire evacuees return
A popular webcam overlooking the Midtown area of the Village of Ruidoso showed a busy street Monday after residents returned for the first time after being evacuated a week ago because of two fires. (Source: Ruidoso Midtown webcam)
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – Ruidoso residents returned to the village Monday after a week-long evacuation because of two major fires that destroyed parts of the community.
Evacuees found a town in full-fledged recovery mode after a number of utilities were destroyed or damaged in either the fires or flooding from recent storms that’s been made worse by burn scars, the vegetation-stripped areas that do little to slow rainfall run-off.
And, despite a turn toward cooler and wetter conditions that have helped firefighting efforts immensely, both the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire continue to burn. About 1,000 personnel are battling the blazes.
Images residents posted to social media showed a sky dotted with clouds, a day that might have seemed picturesque, if not for a plume of smoke on the horizon.
Some streets of Ruidoso, particularly along Mechem Drive, remained blockaded, preventing widespread public access to the neighborhoods scorched in the South Fork Fire. Law enforcement have said that’s in part to investigate areas for additional fire-caused fatalities. The fire claimed at least two lives.
Authorities have cautioned residents repeatedly that services will not be at full capacity. They continued to ask that only full-time residents – not tourists or second home owners – return to the village and surrounding areas to reduce strain on utilities and public resources that have been impacted by the fires.
Repairs underway
Otero County Electric Co-op announced it had restored power to most of its customers after having to replace about 50 poles damaged by fire.
Meanwhile, Wesley Gray, executive director of field operations for PNM, told attendees at a virtual public meeting Sunday afternoon that the company needed to replace “upwards of 1,500 poles” damaged by fire in the Ruidoso area. About 2,900 customers were out of service because of it. PNM brought in 18 crews to restore power, he said.
Leslie Graham, general manager for Zia Natural Gas Company, said both the fire and floods of the past week have wreaked havoc on the company’s lines. Crews are working to find damage and repair the infrastructure. She told homeowners to not remove a lock if they find one at their meter because it’s an important step in the restoration of service, and removing it will slow the process for repairs.
Randall Camp, Lincoln County manager, said officials are putting together a plan for how to allow people from burned neighborhoods to return to their homes. He encouraged returning residents to avoid visiting burned areas out of curiosity.
“If you do come in, please don’t go looking around,” he said.
A boil water advisory is in place.
Big Hoss Map Company produced this map with the latest Ruidoso fire information as of Monday, June 24, 2024.
Flooding risk is high
Fire officials emphasized the flooding risk in low-lying areas remains high because small amounts of rain falling on burn scars can lead to significant run-off. More rain fell on the area Sunday.
Monday, at least one resident of the Upper Canyon was allowed to visit her home, which was still standing. However she was told she wasn’t allowed to remain because there’s no water service to the property.
Authorities discouraged drone owners from flying the devices over Ruidoso, especially in the burned areas. At issue is that the FAA has implemented a “temporary flight restriction” in the area to prevent conflicts with aircraft involved in the fire response. It’s illegal to fly drones until that’s lifted, and pilots could face legal consequences.
The Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5, the multi-agency team leading the response, reported the following numbers Monday morning for acreage burned:
South Fork Fire: 17,550 acres and 37% contained (compared to 17,550 and 31% contained Sunday)
Salt Fire: 7,800 acres and 7% contained (compared to 7,775 acres and 7% contained Sunday).
The recent storms have helped to reduce fire risk dramatically, officials said.
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info:www.southNMnews.org orwww.surNMnoticias.org.
Ruidoso Fires Day 7: FBI announces $10K reward for fire info; some residents allowed to return
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – The FBI announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or people responsible for starting two Ruidoso fires that have claimed at least two lives and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,400 structures.
The announcement happened Saturday afternoon. Until then, authorities had not said publicly there was suspected human involvement in the blazes’ start. The FBI didn’t release any further details about the circumstances of the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, but rather just asked for the public’s help.
The FBI’s free tip line is 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). People also can reach out to the nearest FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips also may be submitted online: tips.fbi.gov.
Residents of some neighborhoods return
Separately, some residents of the Ruidoso area began returning to their homes on Saturday evening. At issue is that the Village of Ruidoso stated that its full-time residents – not tourists or second-home owners – are allowed to begin returning at 8 a.m. Monday.
However, Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood specified separately from the village’s announcement that residents of some neighborhoods outside the village could return before that. Specifically, the Ranches of Sonterra 1,2 and 3 subdivisions; Ruidoso Valley Estates; and Enchanted Forest were allowed to return starting 5 p.m. Saturday. These developments are located north of Ruidoso.
Plus, Wood said that residents of Ruidoso Downs – adjacent to the village of Ruidoso – were allowed to begin returning at 8 a.m. Sunday, in addition to residents from the Sierra Vista, Sun Valley and Villa Madonna neighborhoods.
The conflicting return times appeared to cause some confusion among residents. One hurdle for people trying to return Sunday was that U.S. Hwy. 70 between Tularosa and Ruidoso remained blocked in both directions on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The blockade was lifted mid-afternoon.
The tribe announced on Facebook that residents of the reservation who’d been evacuated because of the fires were being allowed to return home.
Sheriff: Burned areas remain under order
Wood emphasized Ruidoso area neighborhoods that burned in the blazes will remain under an evacuation order because “any area that has a home or a vehicle that's been burned as a result of this fire must be treated as a crime scene.” He told people not to go into those areas.
“We’re looking for human remains and those who may have perished during this thing,” he said in a Facebook post. “So far, they have not found any human remains beyond those you may already know about.”
Village officials have said previously that search crews with cadaver dogs are scouring the area.
New Mexico State Police, meanwhile, warned returning residents there’s a chance they could encounter other fatalities.
“If that happens, please call your local law enforcement agency to report it,” the agency stated on social media. “If you experience connectivity issues with phone service, go to a nearby checkpoint and report it to an officer.”
The Ruidoso area is experiencing outages or spotty internet and phone services, as well as disruptions to several major utilities.
Otero County Electric Cooperative announced that 1,500 customers near Alto are experiencing power outages because of the damage from the South Fork Fire that swept across that community.
“We have identified just under 50 poles that were burned in the fire, including the main three-phase line south of Lakeshore, which feeds much of Alto Village, Ski Run Road, Gavilan Canyon, Upper Gavilan, Sierra Vista, and Villa Madonna,” the organization said.
The co-op said 60 personnel are working to repair infrastructure, but it couldn’t give a time line for how soon power might be restored. Residents can check the status of outages at: www.ocec-inc.com.
Officials planned another Facebook livestream update for 5 p.m. Sunday.
Fires still burning
Despite having received rain in recent days, both fires continue to grow, although crews are making progress toward containment. The South Fork Fire had burned about 17,550 acres (up nearly 940 acres from Saturday), while the Salt Fork Fire had burned 7,775 acres (up about 120 acres from Saturday), according to numbers from Sunday morning.
Containment of the South Fork Fire, burning in the west and north of Ruidoso, grew to 31%, up from 26% a day earlier. The Salt Fire remained at 7% containment.
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
Ruidoso Fires Day 6: Evacuees to return Monday
The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, burning near Ruidoso, are 26% and 7% contained, respectively, fire officials said the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2024.
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
Ruidoso officials announced Saturday that full-time residents can return to the community starting Monday morning after being evacuated the past week because of two aggressive fires.
The Village of Ruidoso announced full-time residents – not tourists or second home owners – will be allowed to return starting 8 a.m. They say proof of residency will be required.
Village officials advised residents to bring a week’s worth of food and drinking water because grocery stores aren’t fully operational. And they cautioned residents might find outages of power, gas, and water due to utilities disruptions that have resulted from the fires.
Over the past week, residents have reported spotty or nonexistent internet and phone service, too. A boil water advisory is also in place.
‘I’m going to be so happy’
Lauren McCullough, her fiance and kids were among the thousands of people who evacuated Monday when officials announced a mandatory order as the South Fork and Salt fires rapidly approached the community. Her home is near Alto, just north of Ruidoso. The family has been staying at a hotel in Albuquerque since.
She expressed relief about being allowed to return. Several restaurants and individuals in Albuquerque have offered support in the form of gift cards for groceries and free meals, which have helped. But the unexpected out-of-town stay has taken a toll on her finances. Another evacuated family is staying in the same hotel.
“Our money has been dwindling – having to feed our families and keep the hotel,” she said. “I’m going to be so happy to go home and sleep in our own beds.”
McCullough has several pets in tow; unfortunately, the family’s pet snake died suddenly, possibly because of the stress of the fast-paced evacuation. Still, she said, “we've been hanging in there.”
An estimated 1,400 structures – a mix of homes, businesses and outbuildings – were damaged or destroyed in the fires. At least two people died. Authorities are searching for more possible victims.
McCullough is aware her home is still standing because there’s a man in Ruidoso who’s been roaming through the evacuated zones posting videos on social media of neighborhoods, letting people know which homes burned and feeding animals that were left behind. She saw her home in one of the videos. But the fire came within two miles of the location.
Containment grows
Cooler, wetter weather that arrived in the region from the Gulf of Mexico was a favorable turn for crews combatting the fires. It was expected to slow the fires’ spread.
Saturday morning, fire officials released the latest numbers, saying the South Fork Fire, burning in the west and north of Ruidoso, has consumed 16,600 acres (a growth of about 200 acres since Thursday). It was 26% contained, compared to 0% previously.
The Salt Fire to the south, meanwhile, had burned just over 7,650 acres (on par with the last estimate stated by officials) and was 7% contained, compared to 0% on Thursday.
Both fires started Monday, June 17. Officials say the causes remain under investigation. Acreage has burned, too, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation just west of Ruidoso.
While rains and higher relative humidity have improved the situation for fire crews, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5, which is in charge of the fire response, “this incident is not over,” states an announcement Saturday from the group.
“Downed power lines, damaged water, sewer, and gas lines, localized flooding, fire weakened trees and other environmental hazards continue to pose risks to firefighters and the public,” the group said. “Extra precautions should be exercised along roads as emergency and fire vehicles, engines and equipment continue to travel and work along roadways.”
Officials said smoke and smoke damage to structures is another hazard of returning to the evacuated areas.
Returning home
McCullough said a concern she has about returning to her home is that she left about $600 in groceries behind, many of which have likely spoiled. Her fiance turned off their power breaker as a precaution in case the blaze did reach their house. She’ll likely be boiling water, too, although she has several five-gallon jugs of drinking water at her house. She said she’ll be looking into purchasing Starlink internet because the local internet provider has had outages related to the fire, and she needs connectivity for work. Starlink, an Elon Musk company, is a satellite-based internet that’s an option for rural and remote locations.
McCullough said she’s been in touch with her homeowner’s insurance company and found that some of the costs she’s incurred because of the evacuation and fire might be reimbursable.
Despite what the village has been through, she’s expecting residents will come together to pitch in to recovery efforts.
“It's a resilient town,” she said. “Our canopy may not look the same, but it doesn't change the people in it.”
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
Full text of the Village of Ruidoso announcement:
After careful consideration, the Mayor and the Village Council have decided to allow residents back into Ruidoso at 8:00 AM on Monday, June 24th.
Here are a few things to know about re-entry:
1. Re-entry will be for LOCAL, FULL-TIME residents only at this time. You will be required to show proof of residency.
2. The Village of Ruiodoso is asking that 2nd homeowners and tourists refrain from coming to Ruidoso to give residents time to get back to their properties and survey any needs or damages.
3. Please bring at least a week's worth of food and drinking water as grocery stores are not operating at full capacity.
4. Due to the events of the past week, you may arrive to find that your home has no gas, no electricity, and no water. If your home has no power, your refrigerator will not be working. You can check the outage maps at PNM.com and ZNGC.com
5. There is no childcare available.
6. If you have breathing issues including asthma or COPD, you may find that you cannot tolerate the ash, smoke, and soot that are in the air.
7. We currently have a Boil Water Advisory in place which is normal after a natural disaster. If any of our systems are found to be compromised, there is the possibility for a mandatory Boil Water Order.
We hope that you will help us make this process smooth. Please remember that we are here to help you, and at the same time, we want to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone's property.
Any questions can be directed to the EOC Phone Bank at 575-258-6900 or more information can be found on the Village of Ruidoso website at www.Ruidoso-NM.gov
Source: Village of Ruidoso Facebook page
Day 5: Rain brings relief to Ruidoso
Mayor says searches underway for more possible victims
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – Steady rain fell in Ruidoso on Friday, a welcome relief to hot, dry weather that helped to fuel two forest fires that have burned parts of the mountaintop village and neighboring Mescalero Apache Reservation.
Rain started about 10 a.m. and continued steadily for several hours, said Kerry Gladden, spokesperson for the Village of Ruidoso.
“It’s not as heavy as we had anticipated, but it's still heavy enough to be causing a flow,” she said.
Nearly one-third of an inch fell during an hour-long period at one point Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials issued an alert to residents over concerns about more flash flooding in low-lying areas, a threat first seen Wednesday when a big storm hit several burn scars. Gladden said the area had seen more debris flows Friday, a type of fast-moving and dangerous mudslide.
Thunderstorms were possible and could worsen flash flooding.
Abundant humidity and light rain were expected to slow the spread of the South Fork Fire, burning in the west and north of the village, and the Salt Fire, burning to the south. Officials said this favorable turn in weather should last a few days and give crews a chance to make headway toward containing the blazes.
For the second day in a row, firefighters weren’t able to do an aerial survey of the blazes’ growth because of cloud cover. The fires are still considered 0% contained.
Ruidoso and adjacent Ruidoso Downs remain under mandatory evacuation orders, although some people never heeded them and remain living in their homes.
Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford posted a video update on Facebook saying the National Guard is in the village and protecting evacuated properties. Searches are underway for more possible victims.
“We do have severe damage; we do have teams that are coming in with dogs to look for loss of life,” he said. “So out of respect for those families, we ask you to stay out of those areas. In fact, we're going to be enforcing it.”
Two people are confirmed to have died in the blazes.
A preliminary estimate is that 1,400 structures were damaged or destroyed by fire. Those can include homes, businesses, and structures that aren’t dwellings, like outbuildings. Thousands of people remain displaced by the disaster and face an uncertain time line about when they can return to properties not damaged by the fires.
Friday, U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján and Sen. Martin Heinrich toured Roswell and Mescalero, places where evacuees are staying, and the emergency operations in Ruidoso.
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
Ruidoso Fires Day 4: President declares disaster; weather takes favorable turn
Commander Dave Gesser of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5, a multi-agency group, gives an update Thursday, June 20, 2024 during a virtual public meeting on the status of two fires burning in Ruidoso, New Mexico. (Source: Screenshot of the virtual meeting)
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – President Joe Biden on Thursday declared a state of disaster in connection to two fires that have burned or destroyed an estimated 1,400 structures in the Ruidoso area and claimed at least two lives.
For the second day in row, expected rainfall brought a high risk of flooding to areas around Ruidoso. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch effective through 6 a.m. Friday.
Weather officials said an influx of moisture into the region from the Gulf of Mexico has helped to slow the blazes’ growth and creates more favorable conditions for firefighting the next few days. Both fires are still considered 0% contained, despite massive firefighting efforts on several of the blazes’ fronts.
Separately, the multi-agency team coordinating efforts hosted a virtual public meeting Thursday evening on Facebook, the first such event since the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire ignited Monday. The recorded livestream racked up more than 24,000 plays in a three-hour span.
State police said Thursday no further bodies have been discovered beyond the two deaths announced earlier this week. Also, the second victim, first announced Wednesday, remains unidentified.
Opening up federal funding
The president’s disaster declaration allows federal funding to flow to people who’ve been affected by the fires in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation next-door to Ruidoso.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” the president’s declaration states.
The declaration also can lead to funding for local, state, and tribal governments and some nonprofits for emergency responses.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App, according to the news release.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham earlier this week declared a state-level emergency relating to the fires.
New Mexico’s congressional delegation sent a letter Wednesday seeking that Biden issue the declaration. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico announced he’ll be visiting Lincoln County on Friday to meet with first responders, residents and tribal leaders.
Slower fire growth
Heading into Wednesday night, officials were concerned about the impact of significant rainfall on the Ruidoso area. While moisture and precipitation can help quench the fire, intense and erratic winds produced by storms also can spread flames. Plus, burn scars create flash flood risks.
Authorities said rain fell Wednesday on the northern part of the South Fork Fire, burning north and west of Ruidoso, but not much fell on the Salt Fire, burning to the south of the village. The storm dropped large hail and caused flash flooding that carried debris and prompted swift water rescues, but it appears not to have created significant spread of the fires themselves.
Officials weren’t able to update the official totals of burned acreage because a plane that typically surveys the blazes at night couldn’t because of cloud cover. Still, Commander Dave Gesser of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5, a multi-agency group responding to the disaster, said there’s estimated growth of just under 15 acres on the South Fork Fire (for a total of nearly 16,400 acres burned) and about 500 acres on the Salt Fire (for a total of about 7,650 acres burned).
The number of firefighters combatting the blazes is now approaching 1,000 – about four times the personnel assigned two days ago. Nearly 600 personnel are assigned to the South Fork Fire, while more than 400 are on the Salt Fire.
Weather conditions have shaped up to help to mitigate the fires’ spread, said Tom Bird, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Santa Teresa office. With the arrival of significant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the relative humidity is now about 40% in the daytime and up to 95% at night. That’s compared to being “in the single digits with no recovery at night” in recent days.
Plants and materials burn less readily with more humidity in the air, fire officials said.
Winds are expected to be light the next few days, said Bird, who’s part of the incident response team. Plus, cloud cover reduces the amount of sun hitting plants to dry them out, and overall temperatures will be cooler.
“That really does work in our benefit,” Bird told attendees at the virtual meeting.
Arthur Gonzales, fire behavior analyst with the incident team, said “very little growth” is expected for both fires over the next three to four days.
“What we're focusing on is: When will we see that return to active fire spread?” he said.
The caveat of the weather pattern is that there’s plenty of moisture in the atmosphere for thunderstorms, creating flood risk and outflow winds that affect fires. Indeed, a National Weather Service flood watch is in effect through early Friday.
Gonzales said the situation in Ruidoso is “very unique” because crews are dealing with active fires and trying to mitigate flood risk at the same time. Usually, flooding – which is worsened by vegetation-stripped burn scars – happens sometime after a fire response has wrapped up.
Evacuation orders still in place
Thousands of residents remain displaced by the blazes and are staying in temporary shelters and in hotels and Air BnBs across the region.
Officials fielded questions during the public meeting about when standing evacuation orders for Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs will be lifted. Lincoln County Undersheriff Geraldine Martinez said she expects “they're going to have to be held for a significant amount of time.”
Gesser said restrictions on returning to the area will be lifted in phases.
“When we deem an area is safe to go to, it will be lifted,” he said.
Some residents expressed concerns over a rumor there’s looting of homes in evacuated areas. Martinez said the sheriff’s department while patrolling has encountered people who remain inside evacuated zones, but deputies haven’t found evidence of “mass looting or anything like that.”
Officials discouraged residents from trying to return to the evacuation zones, saying it strains limited resources to have more people present than necessary in a disaster area. Cell phone signal, for instance, is limited because of damaged infrastructure.
Gesser said utility and service providers, including cell phone, electricity and internet, are working to repair infrastructure that’s been damaged in the blazes. He told attendees that, because of the communication gaps, just because someone hasn’t been reachable doesn’t mean they’re missing.
An unknown number of people did not evacuate despite orders to do so.
Authorities clarified Thursday that an estimate of 1,400 structures affected by the two fires comes from the state forestry division and not the federal incident team. That estimate can include outbuildings and sheds, in addition to homes and businesses. A more complete picture will require on-the-ground damage assessments, which haven’t occurred yet.
With questions, people can reach out to the incident response team at: 575-323-8258 and 2024.southfork@firenet.gov .
There’s a 90 percent chance of rain in the forecast for Ruidoso for Friday. Chances decrease Saturday but remain in the forecast for next seven days, according to the National Weather Service.
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
Federal disaster declaration opens the door to funding for South Fork, Salt fires
At the request of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday declared a federal disaster for two fires burning near Ruidoso.
The move opens the door for federal funding to flow toward people affected by the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, including in Ruidoso and on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
Per the announcement:
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
New Mexico’s senators and representatives had jointly sought the declaration in a letter Wednesday.
— By Diana Alba-Soular/ Posted 3:45 p.m. 06/20/2024
Day 3 of Ruidoso Fires
Courtesy photo by Pamela Bonner
From fire to flood: Heavy rains prompt water rescues around Ruidoso
By Diana Alba Soular
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – An intense storm brought a new twist Wednesday afternoon to the fire response efforts in Ruidoso: water rescues.
Authorities emphasized the need to seek higher ground and touted the mantra “turn around; don’t drown,” encouraging people and drivers to avoid crossing running water, the strength and danger of which is not always apparent.
Separately, state police confirmed a second person died in the South Fork Fire, a now-16,300-acre blaze that started Monday and swiftly expanded over 24 hours.
Wednesday afternoon, weather officials and local authorities urged people who were in the path of burn scars around Ruidoso to seek higher ground immediately because the risk of flooding was extreme. Burn scars boost the intensity of floods because there’s little vegetation to slow water, and they heighten the risk of mudslides, according to the National Weather Service.
After 5 p.m, the weather service posted on the social media platform X: “Water rescues are ongoing in the Ruidoso area as flood waters surge down the slopes from nearby burn scars.”
Areas expected to be at risk for flash flooding include Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, San Patricio, Hondo, Tinnie, Glencoe, Sunset and Hollywood.
Kerry Gladden, spokesperson for the Village of Ruidoso, said the flash flood risk Wednesday afternoon forced crews to temporarily pull back from a number of areas where they were fighting fire over concerns about the crews’ safety. Those included: Upper Canyon, Eagle Drive, Sleepy Hollow, Country Club, Lower Gavilan, Lower Paradise Canyon, Two Rivers and Carrizo Canyon, according to a village post on social media.
“We’re having flooding and mudslides and large debris fields that are washing down from the burn scars,” Gladden said in a phone interview with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative.
Although Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs remain under evacuation orders and most people have left the area, an unknown number remained behind, Gladden said. As crews pulled back from the fire lines because of flood risk, “they were evacuating anybody who hadn't heeded the original evacuation orders,” Gladden said.
Gladden said low-lying areas and bridge crossings could be overtaken by the run-off and mudslides.
Second death confirmed
Meanwhile, New Mexico State Police on Wednesday afternoon confirmed a second person died in the South Fork Fire burning in the west and north of Ruidoso.
Around noon, state police officers found a body “located in the driver seat of a burned vehicle on Ranier Road,” according to a statement from the agency.
They’re not able to identify the person now because of the “condition being skeletal remains.” Also, there were no “legible” IDs or documentation found in the vehicle.
The person is the second confirmed death as a result of the fire. From Monday night into Tuesday morning, the South Fork Fire burned homes and businesses in north and west Ruidoso and in Alto just to the north. Patrick Pearson died near the Swiss Chalet Inn, where he’d been living. He was the first confirmed death.
The Swiss Chalet Inn is about 1,800 feet – roughly one-third of a mile – from a segment of Ranier Road, according to Google Maps. However, it’s not clear where on Ranier Road the second victim was found.
Through mid-afternoon, the South Fork Fire had burned a total of about 16,300 acres (up about 1,000 acres from Tuesday). A second fire that also started Monday to the south of Ruidoso, the Salt Fire, reached nearly 7,100 acres (up by about 1,600 acres the day before). Both were still 0% contained.
Tuesday evening, officials announced a much larger number of structures — 1,400 — as damaged or destroyed than an earlier estimate of 500 structures. Some residents who had access to their properties were taking stock of the damages Wednesday and posting about them on social media.
Flash flood emergency
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the Ruidoso area that was expected to last until 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.
In addition to the two newest fires, burn scars from the Blue 2 Fire, which started in May, and the McBride Fire of 2022 were considered to be contributors to the flooding risks.
By 6 p.m., storm run-off sparked a 6-foot increase in the height of the Rio Ruidoso, which flows through the heart of the village. The National Weather Service’s Albuquerque office described the sharp leap as “unbelievable.” The increase happened near the Hollywood neighborhood.
The weather service said between 2 and 4 inches of rain had fallen by 7 p.m.
Early morning, command of the fire response transferred to a multi-agency federal group, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5. Officials said this means additional fire crews and equipment will be available to counter the Ruidoso fires.
Rainfall a mixed bag
While rain can bring relief to firefighting efforts, it also can create more difficult conditions, depending on the specific circumstances, said David Shell, public information officer Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
“The thunderstorms, when they collapse, they put out outflow winds,” he said. “They're erratic winds. Those are a danger for firefighters.”
Because of that, crews have to back off the front lines of the fire – pausing the fights against the blazes, Shell said.
“The positive side is you get rain,” he said.
Widespread, heavy rain could have a beneficial impact.
Wednesday morning, more than 250 personnel were helping to fight the fires. But those numbers were increasing throughout the day. Shell didn’t have an estimate as to how many extra personnel had arrived from across the region.
“We’re putting our firefighters between the town and fire,” he said.
The response effort is also using about 15 planes and helicopters. Both water and fire retardant are being dropped on the fires.
Shell encouraged residents to treat the evacuation orders seriously.
“It's a very active fire front, and it's very dangerous,” he said. “With these thunderstorms and outflow winds, they can pick up the fire and make it move quickly.”
For information about the response, residents can call: 575-323-8258.
Cooler days with chances of rain are in the forecast for the rest of the week. Thursday, a 60% chance of rain with a high of 74 degrees is expected, according to the weather service. Friday, the chance of rain increases to 80% and decreases to 30% on Saturday.
Authorities were concerned about the risks for “debris flows,” a type of fast-moving, deadly landslide.
“They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees - and sometimes, homes or vehicles,” according to the National Weather Service. “You'll often hear 'debris flows' called 'mudslides' or 'mudflows.' Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.”
The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. More info: www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.
Patrick Pearson is seen with his granddaughter, Harlynn Mallak, who was born last year. (Photo courtesy of Hilary Mallak)
'It’s devastating' says family of Patrick Pearson killed in South Fork Fire in Ruidoso
Adrian Hedden, El Rito Media
Diana Alba Soular, Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative
Patrick Pearson played bass and sang ‘90s cover songs, along with country and Spanish music three or four times a week at local bar Quarters in Ruidoso.
He was known to cook up a pot of taco soup for his friends, of which he made many since moving to Ruidoso full-time in 2021 to play a gig.
He died probably in the evening of June 17 or the next morning as the South Fork and Salt fire ripped through the popular tourist village amid the Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest, but Pearson’s body wasn’t found until the next day as fire crews sifted through ashes of the decimated hotel.
Pearson, 60, was a private kind of person, but made friends wherever he went, said his 36-year-old daughter Hilary Mallak. His move following a divorce in 2008 from Albuquerque to Ruidoso saw Pearson staying in the historic Swiss Chalet Inn.
“It’s devastating,” Mallak said in an interview with the Ruidoso News. “People spend their whole lives there. People retire there. That’s what my dad was doing. He said he’d spend his entire life there.”
Correction: An initial version of the story misspelled Hilary Mallak’s name.
Pearson's son and Mallak's little brother Zach Pearson, 33, of Santa Rosa said he spoke to his dad last on Father's Day, and tried to reach him Monday with no success. The family also called shelters set up in the region, mostly in Roswell, for word of their father.
"I was kind of hoping everything was okay and he didn't have (phone) service. Come Tuesday, we still hadn't heard from him," Zach Pearson said. "Nobody had seen him. We really didn't have much information to go off."
The South Fork Fire burned about 16,335 acres in the Ruidoso area as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division, leading to a full evacuation ordered for all residents on Monday. The nearby Salt Fire burned another 7,071 acres south of the village simultaneously, and Ruidoso Downs was also evacuated the next day.
By the most recent estimates, 1,400 structures were lost in the wake of the fires.
Family forced to wait as fires shut down Ruidoso
One of the structures lost was the Swiss Chalet, built in 1962 and nestled among the picturesque mountain vistas that were covered by a thick blanket of smoke as Ruidoso residents fled their homes during the fires.
It’s where Pearson was living when the fires crept at first into town, then exploded, tripling in size over Monday night. He was still healing from a recent out of town surgery after breaking his leg and returning to the Chalet on June 10.
Pearson had arranged a ride out of town with friends, but it was too late as that vehicle was denied entry to Ruidoso as the highways were shut down.
So, he appeared to set out on foot, Mallak said, using a walker. Eventually, she said the smoke appeared to become too much for Pearson. He was found curled up in a fetal position in the hotel’s parking lot.
"I know he was in pain already with his leg being broken," Zach Pearson said. "Being in a walker trying to escape all that couldn't have been easy. I just hope he didn't suffer for so long."
While the fires were overtaking the village, Mallak followed the story on TV some 300 miles away in Albuquerque where she lived her entire life. She said while it was sad to see the forest burning, she didn’t expect tragedy to strike her family.
She heard later that Pearson had last spoke to a friend at about 4 p.m., June 16, saying he had a bag packed and was ready to leave Ruidoso.
“That’s the last anyone had heard from him,” Mallak said. “You don’t think it’s that bad, especially being far away. I was watching it on the news and I did try to get ahold of him. By then, the cell towers were out but we didn’t know that. We didn’t really get any updates from him.”
The family was forced to wait for word from Pearson. Mallak said her father returned their calls during previous wildfires in Ruidoso, most recently when the McBride Fire burned about 6,159 acres and led to the evacuation of 4,500 residents in April 2022.
An elderly couple was found dead among the rubble of the McBride.
“We were hopeful for the majority of the day, until we heard people were hearing from their loved ones, and we hadn’t heard anything,” Mallak said.
Zach Pearson said he called New Mexico State Police dispatch, provided a few more identifying details and was face to face with a State Police officer soon after, receiving news he hoped he wouldn't.
"I had a state police officer come to my door and he said my dad was gone. He didn't make it. I was in disbelief. It's the biggest shock of my life," Zach Pearson said. "I don't have my dad anymore."
A father, grandfather, musician and cook
Mallak’s daughter Harlynn was born on July 29, 2023 and she said Pearson was looking forward to being a grandfather. He had several custom items made to welcome Harlynn into the world, Mallak said, as the girl joined her two teenage sons.
“He was very excited about that,” Mallak said. “They all knew I wanted a daughter at some point.”
She said she spoke to him about weekly since he moved from Albuquerque for that first gig in Ruidoso about three years ago, and to escape the big city for scenic mountain vistas.
“What took him to Ruidoso was he always wanted to get out of Albuquerque,” Mallak said. “He got a gig in 2021 and fell in love with it. He never came back.”
In Ruidoso, Pearson played in a band with Craig Rivera. Rivera's daughter Christiana Alvarez of Oceanside, California said the bond between her dad and Pearson since they were teenagers meant he was "like and uncle" to her. She said she talked with Pearson frequently, especially for counsel when her son died at a young age.
"My dad told me he never saw Pat mad in all the years he's known Pat. He's always been that person − my dad was the one sticking up for him," Alvarez said. "He (Pat) was funny. he had a humor. But the one thing was: he was simply just kind."
She recalled a kind man, always excited to perform and have a good time.
"It was really nice because every time I'd go listen to them (at Quarters), there was always people dancing," Alvarez said. "It was people in their early 20s to couples in their 60s and 70s. It was a mixture, and it wasn't just about alcohol. It was about the music.”
Before his passion of music drew him to the mountains, Mallak said Pearson was strong father, who attended many of her and her sister Samantha Garcia’s dance and cheerleading events.
She also remembered her dad as the family cook, known for his “taco soup” he’d frequently prepare for friends he met through music and “simpler southern food” he’d prepare for the family.
“We loved to go see him play,” she said. “He was the main cook. That’s what I remember. He like to make people happy.”
Garcia, 31, of Albuquerque said she remembered a father born to perform. He sang during her first dance with husband Leon Garcia on their wedding day.
“My dad had such a gift and passion for singing and entertaining. He played the bass guitar and made lifelong friends doing what he loved,” she said. “I have many fond memories of going to his gigs and dancing to him singing. He actually sang to my husband and I during our first dance at my wedding. He was well loved and will be greatly missed.”
Zach Pearson said it was his dream to join his dad on stage. That's why he took up the guitar. After his father's passing, Zach still has recordings he said bring back the cherished memories of following his parents to county fairs, festivals and other event to hear his dad's deep, country-tinged voice reminiscent of George Strait.
"He was an amazing musician. He made a part-time career out of it for most of his life," Zach Pearson said. "He'd go all over and play, and everybody loved his music. There's nobody that didn't fall in love with my dad's singing voice."
That voice was silenced by the South Fork Fire.
Fire crews continued working to control the blaze in the days after Pearson’s death, hoping to bring an end to the chaos gripping the village, and prevent any more tragedies from hurting families like his.
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 734-972-6855, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
New Mexico State Police confirm second victim in Ruidoso fires
New Mexico State Police on Wednesday afternoon confirmed a second person died in the South Fork Fire burning in the west and north of Ruidoso.
About noon, state police officers found a body “located in the driver seat of a burned vehicle on Ranier Road,” according to a statement from the agency.
They’re not able to identify the person now because of the “condition being skeletal remains.” Also, there were no “legible” IDs or documentation found in the vehicle.
The person is the second confirmed death in the blazes, which started Monday and have grown significantly since. The fastest expansion of the South Fork Fire so far happened Monday night into Tuesday morning, as the blaze burned homes and businesses in north and west Ruidoso and Alto. Patrick Pearson died near the Swiss Chalet Inn, where he’d been living. He was the first confirmed death.
The Swiss Chalet Inn is about 1,800 feet, roughly one-third of a mile, from a segment of Ranier Road, according to Google Maps. However, it’s not clear on which segment of Ranier Road the second victim was found.
— Reported by Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 5:27 p.m. 06/19/2024
Weather Service issues extreme danger warning for Ruidoso burn scars
The National Weather Service issued an urgent alert Wednesday afternoon for the Ruidoso area about expected “torrential” rainfall likely to fall over the South Fork Fire burn scar, as well as a burn scar of the Blue 2 Fire, which started in May.
Describing the situation as “extremely dangerous,” the agency says a flash flood warning is in effect for “all points downstream” in Ruidoso and Alto.
Rainfall over burn scars can be especially dangerous because there’s little vegetation to slow the path of the water, and mudslides — or “debris flows” — are a risk.
“Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are very susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially near steep terrain. Rainfall that would normally be absorbed will run off extremely quickly after a wildfire, as burned soil can be as water-repellant as pavement,” according to a Weather Service article. “As a result, much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood.”
A debris flow is a “fast-moving, deadly” landslide, the Weather Service states. They travel faster than a person can run and can overcome vehicles. Their paths can be unpredictable, too.
“They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees - and sometimes, homes or vehicles,” according to the agency. “You'll often hear 'debris flows' called 'mudslides' or 'mudflows.' Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.”
The National Weather Service advises people in the path of a burn scar flow to evacuate as soon as they get notice.
By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 3:25 p.m. 06/19/24
Fires’ growth continues, as victim’s name comes to light
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO — Two large fires continued to grow Wednesday in Ruidoso, as officials announced a larger number of structures had been damaged or destroyed in the blazes.
The South Fork Fire, burning on the west and north of Ruidoso, and the Salt Fire, burning to the south, continued claiming acreage.
Around 2:45 p.m., about 16,300 acres (up about 1,000 acres from Tuesday) had burned in the South Fork Fire. The Salt Fire crept to nearly 7,100 acres (up by about 1,600 acres the day before). They were still not contained.
The name of a man who died in the fires also came to light, as family and friends posted on Facebook about his life. Pat Pearson lived in the Swiss Chalet Inn on Mechem Drive, which burned in the path of the South Fork Fire. He was a guitar player at a well-known bar in town, Quarters Nightclub.
Tuesday evening, officials announced a much larger number of structures — 1,400 — as damaged or destroyed than a previous estimate of 500 structures.
— By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 2:55 p.m. 06/19/24
Fires force evacuation of Ruidoso, N.M.
Smoke from a Ruidoso area fire billows over the community on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Courtesy photo by Ruidoso resident Pamela Bonner)
Ruidoso fires expand on Day 2; one death reported
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO — Two fires threatening the community of Ruidoso expanded Tuesday, damaging or destroying at least 500 structures and prompting a second evacuation order, this time for the neighboring City of Ruidoso Downs.
Update: Shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, the New Mexico Forestry Division reported that some 1,400 structures have been “lost” to the fires.
The South Fork Fire burning to the west and north of the village grew to nearly 15,300 acres by mid-afternoon, while the Salt Fire, burning to the south, totaled about 5,500 acres. They were listed as 0% contained.
KOB-TV and Source New Mexico reported at least one death has resulted from the fires.
Shortly after 4 p.m., authorities announced a second evacuation order in as many days, urging residents of the City of Ruidoso Downs to evacuate immediately due to the Salt Fire "making a run" toward the community. An evacuation order Monday applied only to a portion of Ruidoso Downs, as well as to Ruidoso proper and surrounding neighborhoods, a village official said.
The only available evacuation route for the 2,600-person community of Ruidoso Downs was U.S. Hwy. 70 east toward Roswell.
State police blocked all highways leading to Ruidoso because of the high risks relating to travel in the area.
Fire crews from multiple agencies were fighting the blazes using both ground and air equipment.
Businesses burn in blaze
Since its start on Monday morning, the larger South Fork Fire has encroached upon homes and businesses in Ruidoso and Alto, a short drive to the north. Dramatic footage of the Alto Ski Shop ablaze at night was circulating on social media Tuesday. Also perishing in the fire was the Swiss Chalet Inn, a well-known hotel along Mechem Drive.
It was rumored that the Albertsons grocery store, also located on Mechem Drive, had burned, but a company spokesperson said that was not the case – at least through late afternoon Tuesday. The store is closed, however, and will remain so until it’s safe for employees to return.
Residents and onlookers followed fire progress on an alert app known as Watch Duty. At least according to the app, much of the Upper Canyon, a heavily wooded area of Ruidoso, appeared to still be standing.
Officials declined to comment about what structures had or hadn't survived the fire, saying their main focus now is on fighting the blazes. Assessments of damage will come later.
The Ruidoso Midtown area, known for its shops and restaurants, appeared to be intact through late afternoon. Smoky skies over a deserted street could be seen via a popular webcam.
Not everyone evacuated
Monday, most residents evacuated Ruidoso as the threat of the South Fork Fire especially grew throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Despite the order being described as mandatory, an unknown number of people remained behind in their homes, said Village of Ruidoso spokesperson Kerry Gladden.
"We did a mandatory evacuation of the village yesterday afternoon,” she said. “But in New Mexico, it's against the law to make people leave their property. We had a lot of people go, but there were people that stayed.”
On social media, many people struggled to find information about family and friends they haven’t been able to reach.
Who should people call if they believe someone still needs help evacuating? Gladden pointed people to the incident response headquarters’ line, for now: 202-794-5044. However, she emphasized people should NOT call that number seeking updates about whether properties burned.
Tuesday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency declaration concerning the Ruidoso fires, a move that opens the doors for funding to flow to the response efforts.
Temporary shelters for people and animals sprang up in multiple communities in the region. A number of organizations launched donation drives to help people affected by the fires.
At least one federal website listed the source of the fires as human-caused. However, Gladden said she wasn’t able to verify that Tuesday.
‘This thing escalated really quick’
Monday, long lines of cars formed on major evacuation routes, congested as thousands of people attempted to leave the area at the same time.
Among the evacuees was Lauren McCullough, who lives in the Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates northeast of Alto. She said authorities have a “ready, set, go” three-stage warning system that’s supposed to be used to prepare people for evacuating from a fire. But the “get ready” stage hadn’t even been announced when police drove through the neighborhood telling people to evacuate.
“This thing escalated really quick,” she said.
About 30 minutes before police arrived, McCullough said the area was being rained upon by ash originating from the South Fork Fire.
McCullough had several plastic totes filled with decorations for her upcoming wedding. Anticipating a likely evacuation, she and her children emptied those and started filling them instead with “important stuff that wasn't replaceable.”
“We ransacked our house,” she said. “And shortly after, our power went out.”
PNM power company did cut off power in areas Monday at the request of emergency responders, but it’s unclear if that’s why McCullough’s power was shut off. Phone and internet were spotty or experiencing outages in the Ruidoso area throughout Tuesday.
McCullough’s daughter, who’s attending New Mexico State University, is back home for the summer, which meant the family had two cars with which to evacuate.
“We were able to escape with eight totes, four suitcases and a dog, three cats, a snake and a ferret,” she said.
About 9 p.m. Monday, the family evacuated north on Hwy. 48. They continued to Albuquerque and are staying in a hotel until they can return, if their home is still standing. McCullough said she’s trying to remain calm in the face of a chaotic situation.
“I have a feeling we'll be OK,” she said. “I definitely pray for the ones who aren't so lucky.”
The fire response was expected to transition to a higher-level federal command structure Tuesday evening, according to Gladden.
Pamela Bonner, a former reporter for the Ruidoso News, also evacuated the community on Monday. She posted dramatic footage of smoke billowing above the town and vehicles waiting to evacuate.
“Thousands of people evacuated and now we will sit and wait to find out if we have a village or a home to return to,” Bonner writes on X. “The stress is utterly overwhelming.”
Tuesday morning, the South Fork Fire was listed as having burned nearly 14,000 acres, and the Salt Fire burned about 4,900 acres.
— By Diana Alba Soular / Posted 8:36 p.m. 06/18/24
Check back for updates.
City of Ruidoso Downs ordered to evacuate, as Salt Fire shifts
The city of Ruidoso Downs was ordered to evacuate fully on Tuesday afternoon due to the Salt Fire shifting.
Ruidoso Downs is located just east of the Village of Ruidoso and was only partially evacuated in Monday’s order, according to Kerry Gladden, spokesperson for the village.
“The Salt Fire is making a run towards the City of Ruidoso Downs,” the village posted on its Facebook page.
Residents shouldn’t try to take belongings or save their property but should leave immediately, officials say.
Phone and internet are spotty or experiencing outages in and around Ruidoso due the fires burning infrastructure, officials said.
The only way for Ruidoso Downs residents to evacuate is east along U.S. Hwy. 70 toward Roswell. The city has a population of about 2,600 people.
The Salt Fire is the smaller of two major fires burning around Ruidoso. It totals roughly 5,500 acres. The much larger South Fork Fire is burning on the west and north of Ruidoso.
— By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 4:33 p.m. 06/18/24
Unknown number of people didn’t evacuate Ruidoso, despite order
An unknown number of people opted not to evacuate Ruidoso on Monday, despite an order to do so, according to a Village of Ruidoso spokesperson.
While many people did follow an order to leave the 7,700-person mountaintop community, some stayed behind, said Kerry Gladden, public information officer for the village, in a phone interview with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative on Tuesday.
”We did a mandatory evacuation of the village yesterday afternoon,” she said. “But in New Mexico, it's against the law to make people leave their property. We had a lot of people go, but there were people that stayed.”
Officials don’t know how many residents declined to leave the community.
On Facebook, at least one commenter successfully sought help for a person who was believed to be handicapped and not able to leave the area alone.
Who should people call if they believe someone still needs help evacuating? Gladden pointed people to the incident response headquarters’ line, for now: 202-794-5044. However, she emphasized people should NOT call that number seeking updates about whether properties burned.
Gladden says responders are focused on fighting the fires and aren’t carrying out assessments of the damage yet.
“They’re busy dozing lines and digging lines,” she said. “They’re trying to stop forward progress, as best they can.”
The village, Lincoln County and the U.S. Forest Service are jointly managing the fire response. Gladden said that management will transition this evening to a higher level incident response by the federal government.
— Reported by Diana Alba Soular / Posted 2:46 p.m. 06/18/24
A screenshot of the Watch Duty app map of the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso from early afternoon Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Residents relying on Watch Duty app for Ruidoso fire progress
Residents and evacuees of Ruidoso and surrounding areas are relying on a wildfire notification app called Watch Duty to monitor the progress of two fires near Ruidoso.
The nonprofit-run app was launched in 2021 to counter slow information that can be deadly in a wildfire. Watch Duty “alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time, when every second counts,” the organization’s website states.
“Our service is powered by real people – active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders – who monitor radio scanners and collaborate around the clock to bring you up-to-the-minute information,” the site says.
Images from the app show alarming progress of the South Fork Fire, which has engulfed areas of north and west Ruidoso, as well as Alto, which is about a 10-minute drive north of Ruidoso.
Find out more about how Watch Duty works. Download the program in your app store.
— By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 12:48 p.m. 06/18/24
Ruidoso evacuees worry over homes left behind
Evacuees and other property owners from Ruidoso may be safe from an ongoing wildfire, but they remain concerned about the homes and properties left behind.
Pamela Bonner, former journalist for the Ruidoso News, posted on social media dramatic photos of smoke billowing over the village on Monday, as well as the long lines of cars that formed during the community-wide evacuation.
Now, however, she said it’s an agonizing wait to see what happens.
“Thousands of people evacuated and now we will sit and wait to find out if we have a village or a home to return to,” Bonner writes on X. “The stress is utterly overwhelming”
— By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 11:56 a.m. 06/18/2024
Village: An estimated 500 structures affected by fire
The Village of Ruidoso, which is updating followers on social media, says an estimated 500 structures have been affected by the South Fork Fire so far.
“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,” the village states on its Facebook page.
Both air and ground firefighting operations from multiple agencies, local, state and federal, are working to fight the nearly 14,000-acre blaze. The fire is still 0% contained.
“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,” according to the post. “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.”
— By Diana Alba Soular / Posted 10:52 a.m. 06/18/2024
Ruidoso fires summary as of Tuesday morning (06/18/24)
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO — Forest fires prompted the evacuation of Ruidoso and surrounding communities starting on Monday, June 17.
Roads leading to the mountaintop community have been blocked by New Mexico State Police.
Many evacuees were directed east on U.S. Hwy. 70 toward Roswell.
A number of temporary shelters are in operation, including for animals, in the region.
The South Fork Fire is burning on the northwest side of Ruidoso. The Salt Fire is burning to the south and southwest, including along U.S. Hwy. 70, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, according to fire incident maps.
According to the Village of Ruidoso, the South Fork fire totals nearly 14,000 acres, and the Salt Fire is nearly 4,900 acres. Both have 0% containment.
Meanwhile, another hot day — expected high of 86 degrees — with very low humidity is in the forecast for Tuesday.
— By Diana Alba Soular/ Posted 9:55 a.m. 06/18/24