RUIDOSO, N.M. — The South Fork and Salt fires in New Mexico remain at zero percent containment as firefighters and other personnel continue to suppress them.
As the work continues, the fires have grown to more than 23,000 acres in Ruidoso, where thousands of people have been forced from their homes.
A virtual community meeting is planned for 5 p.m. MDT Thursday and is open to all community members. A Facebook account is not needed to join the meeting at facebook.com/SWIMT5.
On Wednesday, the South Fork Fire showed active fire behavior early in the day until storms moved into the fire area. Firefighters said they observed torching trees, uphill runs where wind and terrain aligned and short-range spotting across the fires, including within the dead and downed fuels of 2012's Little Bear Fire.
According to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, firefighters worked Wednesday to secure a portion of the South Fork eastern perimeter and the south side. The north and eastern sides of the fire are the focus for Thursday’s operations, including North Fork and South Fork of Eagle Creek, and along the Rio Ruidoso.
Crews will continue constructing firelines to prevent further fire growth, while continuing to protect homes, properties and critical infrastructure. Ground and aerial ignitions may be used where needed to strengthen protection of values at risk and burn out fuels between constructed firelines and the main fire.
Both fire areas received varying amounts of rain Wednesday with Thursday expected to have cooler temperatures (68-75 degrees) and higher day/night relative humidity. Storms are likely to develop over the lower east slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in the afternoon and into the early evening, producing 20-30mph gusts.
Heavy rain, flash floods and debris flows are a potential risk from these storms through the week with burn scar flooding already happening.
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