Resilience in Ruidoso: 64-year-old resident recalls devastating wildfires

RUIDOSO, N.M. — Freddy Velasquez, a 64-year-old Ruidoso resident of 24 years said June 17 was a day that changed his and other residents lives forever.

As of the morning of June 28, the intentionally set South Fork and Salt fires had burned over 25,000 acres; the South Fork fire was 73 percent contained and the Salt fire was 71 percent contained. Two deaths were confirmed with officials saying some are still unaccounted for. The investigation continued and the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the fires.

Velasquez shared with EverythingLubbock.com his perspective as a victim and survivor of the fires.

“I’ve been just asking God to keep me strong… You have something right now and three hours later you’ve got nothing. But through it all I’ve been getting strength and courage,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez worked for a contracting company building new homes, so he knew that after the fires they would be busy, giving him job security. He also said the Ruidoso community “puts a smile on my heart” further explaining that he has been blessed by friends and brothers and sisters in Christ reaching out. Disaster relief and support from “total strangers” and Lubbock first responders also kept him encouraged. But still, the situation left Velasquez in denial.

“It was difficult to accept. And I have not totally accepted it 100 percent,” Velasquez said. “It was a helpless feeling that we were being consumed by a wildfire.”

Though traumatized by the experience, Velasquez said he would continue to trust in God.

“I put my selfish desires aside…seeing what I can do to help others. It is traumatizing but I’m asking God to give me the strength to keep going and continue helping others. There’s a lot of people in my situation.”

Velasquez daughter submitted a FEMA application for her father, and his church, Gateway , created a disaster fund.

“Through all of this I have learned and I have been totally blessed to meet people in Lubbock, Texas that were ready, willing and able to enable me with just blessings upon blessings. God is always good,” Velasquez concluded.

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