RUIDOSO, N.M. — Two wildfires in southern New Mexico have burned thousands of acres and forced thousands of people from their homes.
On Tuesday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency for Lincoln County, which includes Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, because of the South Fork Fire.
Grisham deployed the National Guard to the area of the South Fork and Salt fires, that have damaged more than 1,400 structures and burned at least 20,000 acres. An estimated 8,000 people have been displaced from their homes because of the fires.
The governor’s order said the magnitude of the fires is beyond local control and needed immediate state intervention. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.
“The horrific South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have ravaged our lands and property, and forced thousands to flee their homes,” Grisham said in a news release. “We are deploying every available resource to control these wildfires, and to provide support to the Village of Ruidoso, the Mescalero Reservation and surround areas. I extend my deepest appreciation to the courageous firefighters battling these blazes, as well as everyone who has pitched in to help a community in crisis. I urge everyone to heed official orders at all times to stay safe.”
Efforts to contain the fires will continue Wednesday as the New Mexico Complex Incident Management Team takes over firefighting efforts.