The Village of Ruidoso mayor announced Wednesday that all 29 individuals previously unaccounted for after the devastating South Fork and Salt fires have been located. These wildfires, which ignited last week, tragically claimed two lives and forced the evacuation of Ruidoso, a town with approximately 7,500 residents.
Mayor Lynn Crawford confirmed at a community meeting that the missing persons list is now at zero. Earlier this week, over two dozen people were reported missing after the two fires rapidly spread through the area. The fires, which began on the Mescalero Apache Reservation on June 17th, have consumed over 25,000 acres in and around Ruidoso, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures. New Mexico State Police are currently investigating the cause of the fires.
Image: Smoke rises from fires in Ruidoso, N.M.,
The Ruidoso wildfires generated massive smoke plumes visible for miles. The intense heat and rapid spread of the flames forced residents to flee their homes with little notice.
The extent of the damage is significant, with an estimated 1,400 structures affected and around 500 homes destroyed, according to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Urban search and rescue teams, including 20 cadaver dogs, conducted thorough secondary searches of damaged buildings. Fortunately, Ernie Rhodes, FEMA’s urban search and rescue operation chief, reported that no human remains were found during these searches.
Containment efforts have progressed, aided by favorable weather conditions that have moderated fire activity. As of Thursday, the South Fork Fire was 69% contained, while the Salt Fire reached 66% containment, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division. Cooler temperatures and reduced wind speeds have allowed firefighters to make significant gains in controlling the blazes.
Firefighters battled tirelessly to contain the blaze, working to protect homes and infrastructure from the advancing flames. Their efforts have been crucial in preventing further loss of life and property.
The successful location of all missing persons brings a sense of relief to the community grappling with the aftermath of these devastating wildfires. While the fires continue to burn, the progress in containment and the lack of additional casualties offer a glimmer of hope for recovery.
