Mandatory Evacuations Ordered in Ruidoso as South Fork Fire Advances

Officials have evacuated the entire Village of Ruidoso as the South Fork Fire advances toward the area. The evacuation order was given at 6:48 p.m. on Monday, covering the entire village from Sudderth/Mechem to Freedom Bloom at Big O Tire. Residents are advised to leave immediately without trying to gather belongings or protect their homes.

Photo byNWS Albuquerque

The South Fork Fire, initially reported at 10:50 a.m. on the Mescalero Apache Reservation west of Ruidoso, has grown rapidly. By 8:54 p.m., it was estimated at 4,917 acres, up from 4,156 acres at 7:30 p.m. and 2,250 acres at 7:01 p.m.

Evacuees can go to Capitan High School or a loved one's home outside the affected area. Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell also provides shelter. An evacuation center is open at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center, and the Mescalero Community Center is available for evacuees. Due to the fire's approach, the Ruidoso Convention Center no longer accepts evacuees.

Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed, leaving Sudderth to Highway 70 and out to Roswell as the only evacuation route. Hot ash from the fire is falling in parts of Alto and along Airport Road; residents should call 911 if they see hot ash spots or active fire.

Photo byRuidoso Midtown Webcam

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Mescalero Agency is the lead agency managing the fire, and assistance or inquiries can be directed to 575-258-6900. Another fire, the Salt Fire, started Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Otero County. It has grown to 3,102 acres as of 8:54 p.m. from 1,751 acres at 7:24 p.m. and 35 acres at 5:15 p.m.

Donations can be brought to the Mescalero Community Center, and livestock can be taken to the Mescalero Rodeo Grounds. For help with livestock hauling, call 575-464-9878. Residents east of Botella Road are on "GO" status, while those at Chatto Ridge are on "READY" status.

New Mexico State Police have closed US Highway 70 from mile markers 249 to 258, and State Highway 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Highway 220, per the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.