Mescalero Wildfires Spark Evacuations and Firefighting Efforts in New Mexico

The recent wildfires on tribal land in Mescalero, New Mexico, have prompted a coordinated response from various agencies. Namely, the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, located near the Rio Ruidoso in Ruidoso, are currently under the management of Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with a Complex Incident Management Team on standby.

The South Fork Fire, spanning an estimated 360 acres, was first reported on June 17, 2024, posing a significant threat to structures in the Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso. Multiple resources, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, and the US Forest Service, are actively engaged in combating the blaze, which remains uncontained at 0%.

Amidst the escalating fire activity, the Village of Ruidoso has issued evacuation orders for several neighborhoods, including Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Ponderosa, Alpine Village, and Cedar Creek. In response to the rapidly evolving situation, residents are being directed to evacuate to designated centers such as the Ruidoso Convention Center and the Community Center Gymnasium on the Mescalero Apache Tribe Reservation.

Simultaneously, the Salt Fire, affecting 35 acres in Otero County and southwest of Ruidoso, has triggered evacuations at Apache Summit. With highways 70 and 244 impacted by closures, resources from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero, and the Forest Service are actively managing the fire’s progression.

As a precautionary measure, an emergency mandatory evacuation has been enforced for the entire Village of Ruidoso, necessitating immediate evacuation without delay. The designated evacuation route via Sudderth to Highway 70 offers the sole passage out to Roswell, with road closures impeding other exit options.

For those displaced by the wildfires, an Evacuation Center at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell and the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds are providing refuge and assistance. As the situation unfolds, real-time updates are accessible through the New Mexico Forestry Division and local authorities, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents amidst the ongoing wildfire crisis.