Two fast-moving wildfires in Southern New Mexico have burned over 20,000 acres, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents. The South Fork and Salt fires began earlier in the week amidst high temperatures, and on Wednesday, shifts in weather brought rain and wind that could complicate efforts to contain the blazes. While the rain may help, wind speeds of up to 15 miles per hour could cause the fires to spread further, making the situation appear dynamic and dangerous.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the fires, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The fires were particularly threatening to the village of Ruidoso, located between the two blazes, and at least one person had died as a result of the fires. The larger South Fork fire had burned over 15,000 acres and destroyed 1,400 structures, while the Salt fire had consumed more than 5,500 acres in difficult mountainous terrain.
By Tuesday evening, about 8,000 residents had been evacuated from Ruidoso and surrounding areas as the fires posed a clear threat. Governor Grisham mentioned that she was uncertain if anyone was trapped or missing due to the rapid evacuation, urging those with concerns about loved ones to inform authorities so that they could assist. The wildfires were labeled as devastating and with the fluctuating weather, the unpredictability of the situation was emphasized by forestry officials at a news conference.
The fires were described as enormous and exceedingly challenging to address by Governor Grisham at the news briefing, with firefighting efforts complicated by the rapidly spreading blazes and the evolving weather conditions. The combination of rain and wind was seen as both positive and negative, with the potential for rain to offer some relief but the accompanying winds increasing the risk for homes in the vicinity of the fires. With road closures making travel impossible in the southern region of the state, the wildfires were a significant concern for the affected communities.
Laura McCarthy, a New Mexico State Forester, explained at the news conference that the fires were expected to remain dynamic until the impact of the rainfall was observed. Despite the challenges posed by the flames, emergency responders continued to work tirelessly to contain the fires and protect residents in the affected areas. The fires had rapidly evolved into a serious situation in Southern New Mexico, requiring a coordinated and robust response from firefighting and emergency management teams to ensure the safety of those in harm’s way.
