Two fast-moving wildfires in Southern New Mexico have caused chaos and destruction, leading to thousands of evacuations and scorching over 20,000 acres of land. The fires, named the South Fork and Salt fires, started earlier this week under intense heat, making it difficult for firefighters to gain control.
The weather conditions in the region have added to the challenges faced by firefighters. The forecast for Southern New Mexico includes temperatures in the mid-80s with possible showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. However, winds of up to 15 miles per hour could potentially spread the fires further, making containment efforts even more complicated.
During a news conference, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham emphasized the severity of the situation, calling the wildfires “devastating” and “enormous.” The state of emergency declared by the governor in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation highlights the gravity of the fires and the need for immediate action.
Laura McCarthy, a New Mexico State Forester, mentioned that the combination of rain and wind could have both positive and negative effects on the firefighting efforts. While rain could help extinguish the flames, the increasing winds pose a threat to homes in the area, making the situation dynamic and unpredictable.
By Tuesday evening, the fires had already posed a clear danger to residents, especially those in the village of Ruidoso, located between the two wildfires. Tragically, one person has been reported dead as a result of the fires, though details about the incident remain scarce.
The South Fork fire, the larger of the two blazes, has ravaged over 15,000 acres and destroyed 1,400 structures, with zero containment progress. On the other hand, the Salt fire, burning in inaccessible mountain terrain, has consumed more than 5,500 acres of tribal land.
Approximately 8,000 individuals have been evacuated from Ruidoso and its surrounding areas, seeking refuge in shelters set up by organizations like the Red Cross. Governor Grisham urged anyone with information about trapped or missing individuals to come forward, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of all residents in the affected regions.