Ruidoso Village Faces Devastation After Wildfires

Electricity poles burned by the South Fork Fire partially block a road in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Residents are slowly returning to the fire-ravaged village of Ruidoso in the mountains of southern New Mexico after the South Fork and Salt fires tore through the area, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The fires, which started on June 17, have claimed at least two lives, destroyed over 1,500 structures, and forced thousands to evacuate.

The mayor of Ruidoso, Lynn Crawford, has cautioned residents that certain areas of the village remain off-limits as search and rescue teams continue to scour the rubble for the remains of individuals who are still unaccounted for. As of Monday, 29 people are listed as missing, with search teams working diligently to locate them.

Communication challenges have plagued the recovery efforts, with cell service disruptions hindering residents' ability to connect with loved ones. While service is gradually being restored, some individuals are still facing difficulties in reaching out.

Authorities have established exclusion zones to preserve the integrity of the search and rescue operations until the areas are officially cleared. The FBI is also involved in the investigation, offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the fires.

Mayor cautions residents, search for missing individuals ongoing.

Fires in Ruidoso, NM started on June 17.

Communication challenges persist due to cell service disruptions.

Exclusion zones established for search and rescue operations.

FBI offering reward for information on fire perpetrators.

Temporary housing set up for 500 displaced residents.

President Biden declares disaster, resources unlocked for recovery.

Efforts to assist displaced residents are underway, with temporary housing set up for approximately 500 individuals. Utility workers are diligently working to restore essential services, and the National Guard has been deployed to provide support.

President Joe Biden has declared a disaster in parts of southern New Mexico, unlocking resources to aid in recovery and emergency response efforts. While rain and higher humidity levels have aided firefighting operations, full containment of the fires is not expected until July 15.

Officials are also cautioning residents about the potential for flash flooding in the aftermath of the fires, urging vigilance in the face of changing weather conditions. Despite the devastation, the community remains resilient, with plans to rebuild and recover from this tragic event.