South Fork Fire, Salt Fire Update 2

The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire are burning on Mescalero tribal land, US Forest Service land, and the area surrounding Ruidoso. Both fires are being managed by Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Complex Incident Management Teams are on order.  

South Fork Fire

Update: The South Fork Fire is currently estimated at 5,252 acres and zero percent containment.  Fire activity is expected throughout the night due to winds and low relative humidity. Multiple structures are under threat, and unknown number of structures have been lost. 10 Type-1 Hotshot crews are on scene or en route. Tomorrow the incident will be transferred to a Complex Incident Management Team.  

The South Fork Fire was discovered at 9 a.m., Monday, June 17, 2024; it is burning on Mescalero Tribal land, US Forest Service land and within the areas surrounding Ruidoso. Fire growth has been rapid with extreme fire behavior. Long range spotting and intense heat with plume domination. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

Weather: 79 degrees with 11% humidity, winds from the southwest at 18 mph / gusts up to 25 mph. Tonight: low around 58. Southwest wind 15 – 20 mph decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight. Tomorrow: sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest winds 10-15 mph. 

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Evacuations / Closures: Village of Ruidoso is under mandatory evacuation. US 70 is closed from mm 249 (intersection NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo. The only available evacuation route is on Sudderth to Highway 70, leading out to Roswell. 

An Evacuation Center at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is available at 52 University Blvd, Roswell, NM 88203 gym. People with livestock and RVs can head to the Eastern New Mexico state fairgrounds at 2500 SE Main St, Roswell, NM 88203. 

Community Resources: Emergency Operations Center is now operational. For information or assistance regarding the South Fork Fire or other emergencies, please call 575-258-6900. 

Residents and visitors who want to voluntarily evacuate can now seek shelter at Capitan High School at 519 Smokey Bear Blvd., Capitan, NM 88316. The Ruidoso Convention Center is not taking any more evacuations, and those that are there will shelter in place should the status at the Convention Center change.  

Pets to Humane Society of Lincoln County: Address: 25962 US-70, Ruidoso, NM 88345 

Mescalero Evacuations: The Tribe’s evacuation center for Reservation residents is at the Community Center Gymnasium. 

Incident Map URL: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=e2c6d99f914c44cbb18b75e73beef035 

More information about shelters and evacuations can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/villageofruidoso 

https://www.facebook.com/mescaleroapachetribe

Shelters:  

Inn of the Mountain Gods, for tribal or non-tribal persons — 

287 Carrizo Canyon Rd., Ruidoso NM  

In Roswell: 

ENMU-R Gymnasium 

52 B University Blvd  

Church on the Move 

901 W. Brasher   

NMMI Godfrey Center 

101 W. College  

NM Dream Center   

2700 W. Second Street  

ENM Fairgrounds

RVs and Large Animals 

2500 SE Main  

Roswell Convention Center  

900 N. Main  

Roswell Aquatic Center

1500 W. College 

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Acres: 5,252 estimated                                                                           

Start Date/ Time: June 17, 2024; 9 a.m. 

Cause: Under investigation 

Location: Rio Ruidoso, west of the Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso  

Ownership: Tribal                

Structure Threat: Multiple structures threatened; unknown structures lost 

Resources: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, US Forest Service, multiple aviation assets, local resources, a Complex Incident Management Team is on order for Tuesday. June 18.  

Containment: 0%                                                                     

Fuels: Mixed conifer 

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Salt Fire 

Location: Mescalero Reservation, Otero County, Southwest of Ruidoso   

Size: 2,815 acres   

Containment: 0%

Resources: BIA, Mescalero, US Forest Service, multiple aviation assets  

Fire Activity: Active  

Evacuations: Evacuation orders will remain in effect overnight for: Chatto Bluff, Apache Summit, Fantasy Lane, homes along Highway 70 from Highway 244 to the east Reservation line, Bear Canyon, and Snow Canyon. 

Weather: 79 degrees with 11% humidity, winds from the southwest at 18 mph / gusts up to 25 mph. Tonight: low around 58. Southwest wind 15 – 20 mph decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight. Tomorrow: sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest winds 10-15 mph.