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.