Two wildfires that began on Monday in Southern New Mexico have continued to rage out of control, forcing the evacuations of thousands of people and consuming over 18,000 acres of land, authorities reported on Tuesday.
According to Michael Coleman, communications director for the office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, at least one person has been killed in the fires, with no additional details available as of Tuesday evening.
The larger fire, known as the South Fork fire, was first discovered on Monday morning in the Mescalero Apache tribal area and quickly grew, exhibiting “extreme fire behavior,” as stated by fire officials. The fire has now crossed from the tribal reservation to Forest Service land and private property, impacting 500 structures and covering approximately 13,000 acres.
In addition to the South Fork fire, a second blaze named the Salt fire was also discovered on Monday and has spread to nearly 5,000 acres of mostly inaccessible mountain terrain on tribal land.
Both fires remain zero percent contained as of midday Tuesday, with firefighters facing challenges due to wind and low humidity conditions. The rapid growth of the flames has been attributed to factors such as “long-range spotting” and intense heat, with flames reaching heights of hundreds of feet.
Evacuations have been ordered for residents of Ruidoso and surrounding areas, with authorities urging people to leave immediately and not attempt to gather belongings or protect their homes.
The Red Cross has opened four shelter facilities in the state to assist those fleeing the fires, with 270 residents already receiving aid. Governor Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation to provide additional funding and resources to manage the crisis.
As the fires continue to burn, residents are advised to remain calm and follow official instructions to minimize risk. The situation remains critical as firefighters work tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect lives and property in the drought-stricken region of Southern New Mexico.
