6-22-2024 10:18am

Ruidoso’s Salt Fire 26% Containment, Evacuation Orders Stand Due to Fire, Flooding and Downed Power Lines

Chris Edwards Editor

With conditions improving, 1109 personel on the ground engaged in fighting the fires around Ruidoso finally there are signs of hope with containment growing now at South Fork at 26%; Salt Fires with 7% per the Saturday update from New Mexico Fire.

While rains assisted with moderating fire activity, this incident is not over. Hazards exist across the South Fork and Salt fires. Downed powerlines, damaged water, sewer, and gas lines, localized flooding, fire weakened trees and other environmental hazards continue to pose risks to firefighters and the public. Extra precautions should be exercised along roads as emergency and fire vehicles, engines and equipment continue to travel and work along roadways. As such, evacuations and road and area closures will remain in effect. These will not be lifted until fire conditions are diminished, and hazards have been addressed.

Widespread precipitation resulted in minimal fire behavior across the area on Friday. Due to these weather conditions, firefighter activity was limited on the South Fork and Salt fires. Conditions are improving on Saturday, allowing crews to continue fire suppression efforts per firefighters at the scene.

Saturday, crews on the South Fork and Salt fires resumed constructing a fireline in difficult terrain, patrol firelines, and monitor for hotspots near firelines.

Residents should remember that while fire behavior has been reduced to smoldering and creeping in heavy duff and dead/down fuels with minimal spread, fire can and will still actively burn across the South Fork and Salt fires, especially with changing weather conditions. Smoke will persist and hazards are still present across the fire area, including fire-weakened trees along roadways and near critical infrastructure.

In addition to firefighters continuing the work on securing the perimeter and responding to hot spots within the interior of the fire area, damage and structure assessments are being conducted. Crews will be available to respond to any new starts and flare ups as needed.

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect until Monday for several areas in and near the fire. Evacuation information can be found at www.lincolncountynm.govand www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire. Contact the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center at 575-258-6900 if you have questions. Road and trail closures are in effect throughout the fire area. Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed; the open evacuation route is Highway 70 to Roswell. State Hwy 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220. US 70 is closed from mm 249 (intersection NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo (https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-forkfire).

A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. Lincoln National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. Visit https://www.tfr.faa.gov for more information. Drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources.

In the aftermath of the South Fork and Salt Fires, the Village of Ruidoso, in coordination with the Mayor, Village Council, and County, has made the decision to initiate the re-entry process for local, full-time residents. This process will begin on Monday at 8:00 AM. Here are the essential details and guidelines to follow:

Who Can Return:

This re-entry is exclusively for local, full-time residents.
Second homeowners and tourists are asked to refrain from coming to Ruidoso at this time to allow residents to return and assess their properties and needs.

What to Expect:

Be prepared for the possibility that your home may be without gas, electricity, and water.
Childcare services are currently unavailable.
The air quality may be poor due to ash and smoke, which can be problematic for individuals with breathing issues, including asthma or COPD.
Lincoln County Medical Center (LCMC) is working to resume full services on Monday.

Safety Measures:

A mandatory boil water order may be issued if any of our water systems are found to be compromised. Please stay updated on this potential advisory.

Preparation:

Bring at least one week's worth of groceries and water, as grocery deliveries have not been made in a week.
Ensure you have any necessary medications and supplies for your family and pets.

Community Support:

We are committed to supporting our residents during this re-entry process. Please cooperate with local authorities and community organizations to ensure a smooth transition back to your homes.

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging time together. If you need assistance or have questions, do not hesitate to reach out to local authorities.

Stay safe, and welcome back home.

Contact Information: For updates and further information, please visit the Village of Ruidoso South Fork and Salt Fires Information Hub or contact the Ruidoso Municipal Office at [phone number].

Remember, we are here to help. Let's work together to ensure a smooth and safe re-entry process for all residents.

https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info/l8t9zfsm2te5wnbeptpz74wesn9e2x-sh3…