On Monday night, a wildfire broke out and rapidly expanded in size, burning down several structures and threatening more buildings in a town in New Mexico. Residents were instructed to evacuate as the fire, known as the South Fork Fire, continued to spread and engulf tribal and government lands around the Village of Ruidoso in the central-southern part of New Mexico.
Throughout the afternoon, strong winds of 20-30 miles per hour and low humidity fueled the fire, causing it to quickly spread to several thousand acres. The state forestry department officials stated that the fire behavior was extreme, estimating that around 500 structures had been affected by the blaze.
By Monday evening, the fire began encroaching upon Ruidoso, prompting officials to urge the immediate evacuation of the entire village and surrounding areas. Authorities advised residents not to attempt to gather belongings or protect their homes but to leave immediately.
As of now, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the wildfire. Emergency officials set up shelters in nearby Roswell and provided space for evacuees at the state fairgrounds to accommodate displaced livestock.
Officials reported that as of Tuesday morning, the fire had consumed nearly 14,000 acres with zero containment. Firefighters worked diligently overnight on Monday to prevent the spread of the fire and provide as much protection as possible. However, concerns arose as the winds were expected to strengthen on Tuesday, potentially pushing the fire further towards the east and northeast.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. On Tuesday morning, a second wildfire near the Mescalero Reservation called the Salt Fire had spread across an area of approximately 5,000 acres, also forcing residents in the area to evacuate.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center warned that the wildfire weather conditions in most central parts of New Mexico on Tuesday will continue to worsen, with dry southwest airflow and humidity readings around ten degrees.
Stay safe and be prepared in case of any emergencies.