Two fast-moving wildfires in Southern New Mexico have sparked chaos and devastation, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people and scorching over 20,000 acres of land. The blazes, named the South Fork and Salt fires, have been burning out of control, with firefighters struggling to gain any containment.
The fires, which began earlier this week in the sweltering heat of the region, have only worsened with shifting weather conditions. On Wednesday, temperatures were forecasted to reach the mid-80s with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, but expected winds up to 15 miles an hour may further fuel the flames.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico expressed the severity of the situation at a news conference, calling the wildfires “devastating” and “enormous.” The combination of rain and wind was seen as both good and bad news by Laura McCarthy, a New Mexico State Forester, as it could help contain the fires but also make them more dynamic and dangerous.
The fires have already claimed at least one life, with the larger South Fork fire burning over 15,000 acres and destroying 1,400 structures. The smaller Salt fire has scorched more than 5,500 acres of tribal land in rugged mountain terrain. Evacuations have been ordered for around 8,000 people in the area, with road closures making travel impossible.
Governor Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the fires, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. As the fires continue to rage out of control, residents in Southern New Mexico are facing a clear and present danger, with homes and lives at risk.
