Two wildfires in southern New Mexico, USA have resulted in the death of two people and the destruction of around 500 homes, prompting approximately 8,000 residents to evacuate the mountain vacation community of Ruidoso.
According to reports from various media outlets, as of Wednesday afternoon (June 19), the “South Fork Fire” in Ruidoso has burned over 16,600 acres of land with a 0% containment rate. Meanwhile, the “Salt Fire” in the Mescalero Apache Tribe has burned over 7,000 acres with a 1% containment rate. The causes of both fires are still under investigation.
On Wednesday, New Mexico state police reported finding a body on the driver’s seat of a burned vehicle whose identity remains unknown. Another victim was a 60-year-old male resident of the area who suffered multiple burns during the fire and succumbed to his injuries.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency for Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe on Tuesday, ordering additional National Guard members to the scene for disaster relief efforts.
During a press conference on Wednesday evening, Governor Grisham stated that out of the 1,400 structures destroyed by the two fires, approximately 500 residential homes have been reduced to ashes. These wildfires represent one of the most destructive in the state’s history.
New Mexico has been experiencing a prolonged drought for decades, intensifying the destructiveness and speed of wildfires. In 2022, the state witnessed its most severe wildfire to date, consuming over 341,000 acres of forest land.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), these uncontained wildfires are among the 21 burning across the western United States, with 5 in New Mexico and 6 in California. Record-breaking heatwaves and strong winds have led to air quality impacts from these fires.
In California, the “Sites Fire” that broke out southeast of Toneyford in Colusa County on Monday has burned over 15,500 acres, becoming the largest and fastest-spreading wildfire in Northern California. As of Wednesday morning, containment has reached 15%.
Furthermore, the “Post Fire” near Gorman in Los Angeles County has scorched over 15,690 acres since it began on Saturday, marking it as the most destructive fire to date. By Wednesday, the fire has been contained to 39%.