The approximately 1,000 firefighters mobilized took advantage of temperatures in the 20°C, scattered showers and light winds to use bulldozers to dig protection lines. Other crews used shovels in rougher terrain to fight fires near the mountain village of Ruidoso.
The South Fork Fire, which has grown to 67 square kilometers in size, was 26% contained, while the Salt Fire, which is 31 square kilometers in size, was 7% contained as of Saturday morning, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Complete control of the fires was not expected before July 15, according to the agency.
Elsewhere in New Mexico, warnings of heavy rain and flash flooding prompted authorities to order mandatory evacuations Friday in the small New Mexico city of Las Vegas and communities near Albuquerque, about 320 km north of Ruidoso. Las Vegas set up shelters for displaced residents and some evacuation orders there remained in effect Saturday.
Flash flood warnings were canceled Saturday, although the National Weather Service said afternoon storms could produce excessive runoff and more flooding in the area.
Risks still present
The wildfires destroyed or damaged around 1,400 buildings. Other fallout from the fires — including collapsed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines, flooding — continued to “pose risks to firefighters and the public,” according to an update Saturday from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
Evacuations in areas near Ruidoso and road closures were still in effect. In Ruidoso, residents will be allowed to return Monday, although daily life will not return to normal.
“You will need to bring a week’s worth of food, you will need to bring drinking water,” Mayor Lynn Crawford posted on Facebook.
President Joe Biden issued a natural disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico on Thursday, freeing up funds and more resources to help with recovery efforts, including temporary housing. This declaration will also allow low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on lands owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell met Saturday with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Crawford and Mescalero Apache Tribal Chairwoman Thora Walsh Padilla. “These communities have our support for as long as it takes to recover,” Ms Criswell said on social media platform X.
Much of the Southwest has been extremely dry and hot in recent months. These conditions, along with high winds, caused the flames to spiral out of control, quickly causing the South Fork Fire to advance to Ruidoso within hours. Evacuations extended to hundreds of homes, businesses, a regional medical center and the Ruidoso Downs racetrack.
Nationwide, wildfires have burned more than 8,660 square miles this year – higher than the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
