Perseverance Is the Word for Ruidoso Fighting Fires and Flooding With Sunday Evacuations and Rescues

More evacuations and rescues Saturday and Sunday in Ruidoso and Mescalero Apache lands as June concludes. The month of June 2024 will be implanted into the minds of those living in and around Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and the Mescalero Apache Reservation lands of Southern New Mexico for many years of memories of fire, floods and perseverance. 

In late May the Blue 2 Fire 8 miles north of Ruidoso sparked a national emergency declaration for Lincoln and Otero Counties, for a fire that was started by lightning in a remote area, that quickly spread to endanger the water supply of Alamogordo and Holloman AFB around Benito Lake, the ski areas and beyond. That fire burned through June 14th is now considered contained and burned 7,532 acres since May 16, 2024. By June 14th it was considered contaminated only to then have 2 new fires spark near the same location of Ruidoso. 

As of Sunday evening the South Fork and Salt fires continue to be managed by dedicated firefighting crews, the Ruidoso area totaling 752. 

The damage from the two fires has resulted in a new national emergency order from President Biden, 1400 plus businesses and homes burned and the South Fork Fire Damaged 17,569 acres of land with the Salt Fire Burning 7939 acres with containment now of 79% and 84%. Just as containment seems hopeful and evacuation orders were lifted now a new danger has emerged with flash flooding and new evacuations.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning on Sunday at 3:21 pm that was extended on going into Monday morning 3 am. 

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

* Gavilan Canyon between Sutton and Meander
* Paradise Canyon
* Cree Meadows and Hull
* Cree Meadows and Wiley
* HWY 70 in both directions at Sudderth

Anyone who is displaced due to the flood event can find shelter at the White Mountain Relief Center at 687 Hull Road. The Red Cross has a fully functioning operation there with shelter and food service. Please proceed to the large white tent at the entrance.

In an official message from the Mescalero Apache Tribe they reported on Sunday that 
an evacuation was ordered from Fence Canyon east to the reservation line along Highway 70. Evacuees can go to the Inn of the Mountain Gods.

As of Sunday night, the rescue team has saved eight people. This following 26 rescues on Saturday according to city leaders.

The Ruidoso Downs Race Track was also impacted. After reopening Friday they had to close again Sunday because of flooding.

Village leaders told KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org that they  got hit harder Sunday night than they did Saturday.

The village continues to work with federal, state and tribal agencies to fully contain the South Fork and Salt fires and now deal with flooding and its aftermath. 

Contacts to stay abreast to the latest developments can be found at:

Emergency Contacts:

• Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8am-6pm)
• Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7am-10pm)
• Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8am-8pm)
• Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8am-8pm)
• Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov

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