RUIDOSO, N.M.(KRQE) –Evacuations remain in place as the South Fork Fire continues to grow into Ruidoso and Alto, New Mexico. The fire started on Monday, June 17, when officials began urging Ruidoso residents to evacuate. Fire officials say an estimated 1,400 structures have been impacted. Officials say there have been two confirmed deaths.
Crews are engaging with the fire, working to extinguish smoldering fuels and building fire lines, and they will also conduct mop-up operations by extinguishing or removing burning material along the edge of the fire. PNM said they have ‘de-energized’ parts of the village.
- Start Date:June 17, 2024, around 9 a.m.
- Location: Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, approximately 2-3 miles from the Village of Ruidoso limits
- Fire Size: 17,551 acres
- Contained: 31%
- Structures Burned: Estimated 1,400
- Evacuations: Full list below
- Area Closures:Grindstone Lake, Highway 48 from Alpine Village/University to Highway 220
- US 70 is closed from mm 249 (intersection NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo. An emergency closure order was issued for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District.
- Vegetation: Mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper
- Personnel: 1,114
- Resources: 22 Crews, 88 Engines, 13 dozers, and 18 water tenders
Evacuations in place
Anyone in the following areas needs to evacuate immediately:
- All of Ruidoso Downs
- All of the Village of Ruidoso
- Upper Canyon
- Brady Canyon
- Ponderosa Heights
- Alpine Village
- Cedar Creek
- Lower Eagle Creek
- Alto Lakes
- Sonterra 1, 2, and 3
- All of Alto all the way to the Outlaw Golf Course
- West Gavilan
- Sun Valley
- Sierra Vista
- Villa Madonna
- Ski Run Road
- All west of Hwy 48
- All of Gavilan Canyon Road from Hwy 48 to McDonald’s
The only route to evacuate is Sudderth Drive to Highway 70 toward Roswell. To the north, Highway 380 is open through Hondo.
If you have any questions, please call the phone bank at the Emergency Operations Center. The EOC new number for inquiries is 575-258-6900.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s Emergency Operation Center is in the West Conference Room at the Tribal Offices. The number for inquiries is 575-295-1625.
Evacuations for local, full-time Ruidoso residents will be lifted on Monday, June 24.
Evacuation Centers/Shelters/Livestock
Roswell:
- Roswell Civic Center, 912 N. Main Street
- Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Gym, 52B University Blvd.
- Livestock/RVs – Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 2500 SE Main St.
- Church on the Move Dream Center, 2700 W. Second St.
- Church on the Move, 901 W. Brasher Rd.
- Encanto Event Center, 1010 South Main St.
- New Mexico Military Institute, 101 W. College Blvd,
- Roswell Convention and Civic Center, 900 N. Main St.
- Roswell Aquatic Center, 1500 W. College
Eddy County:
- Artesia Recreation Center, 612 N 8th St, Artesia, NM
- The Eddy County Sheriff’s Posse is offering a free place for evacuees’ horses. Call 575-499-3260.
Lea County:
- Lea County Fairgrounds is offering a place for evacuees and their horses. There are stables and RV hookups. Call Fairgrounds Director Wyatt Duncan at 575-333-0252.
Lincoln County:
- The Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center, 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd.
- Carrizozo High School, 800 D Ave.
- Capitan High School.
- Capitan Fairgrounds, 101 Fifth St., Capitan, is accepting animals.
Otero County:
- Mountain View Church, 1300 Cuba Ave., Alamogordo. Call 214-931-5702.
- Christ Community Church, 2960 N Scenic Dr., Alamogordo.
- Livestock can be evacuated to the Mescalero Rodeo Grounds on Rodeo Grounds Road.
- Mescalero Apache Tribe Reservation residents can go to the Mescalero Community Center Gymnasium.
Individuals are asked to not self-dispatch trailers to Ruidoso Downs Race Track. If you wish to assist with horse evacuations from the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, call the Agro Guard hotline at 575-646-9191.
If you do come across an injured wild animal, you can contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Department’s Information Center at 505-476-8000 or toll-free 888-248-6866.
Helpline and connecting with loved ones
The New Mexico Wildfire State-Sponsored Help Line can assist people affected by the wildfires with issues of housing, transportation, and other assistance. It can also be used by those wishing to inquire about volunteering during the relief efforts. It is a 24/7 helpline at 833-NMFire (833-663-4736).
Separately, anyone seeking to locate family or friends who they lost contact with during the fire evacuations should call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). Once you call, select 0 from the menu to reach a Red Cross agent.
Ruidoso Dispatch and Ruidoso Downs Dispatch are handling inquiries about pet searches, rescues, and welfare checks.
State launches wildfire dashboard for South Fork and Salt Fires
New Mexico has launched a Wildfire Dashboard, providing real-time updates and information on the South Fork and Salt fires. It offers an overview of the current fire conditions, including fire perimeter maps, evacuation zones, air quality reports, and weather forecasts.
For more resource information for evacuees click here.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information comes in. The Salt Fire is also burning on the reservation. More information about that fire can be found here.
