New Mexico Wildfires: Second Death Reported as Thousands Forced to Evacuate Ruidoso

Tragedy struck New Mexico as a second death was reported due to the devastating wildfires. The fires, which erupted and spread rapidly on Monday, have led to the evacuation of thousands in and around the town of Ruidoso. Sadly, the blazes have resulted in the destruction of approximately 1,400 structures.

The bodies of the victims were discovered on Tuesday, a day after the fires broke out. According to New Mexico State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver, one person was found in a burned vehicle in the South Fork Fire. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed. The second victim, identified as Patrick Pearson, 60, was found near the Swiss Chalet Motel with burn injuries from the fire.

Evacuation Orders and Destruction

Approximately 8,000 individuals in and around Ruidoso have been directed to evacuate due to the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, both of which began on the Mescalero Apache Reservation on Monday morning. The wildfires have left a trail of devastation, destroying around 1,400 structures, with an estimated 500 homes being among those lost in the fires.

The South Fork Fire has scorched an estimated 16,335 acres, while the Salt Fire has burned approximately 7,071 acres. Both fires, as of the latest update, remained uncontained at 0%. The South Fork Fire extends from Ruidoso to the west and north, while the Salt Fire is located to the south of the town.

State of Emergency

Expressing the severity of the situation, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, in a news conference on Wednesday night, described the wildfires as "one of the most devastating fires in New Mexico’s history." She declared a state of emergency, enabling the deployment of additional aid. The governor emphasized that all available resources were being dispatched to assist in combating the fires and announced the dispatch of National Guard members as part of the relief efforts.

Despite a spell of rain in the area, the National Weather Service cautioned about the risk of flash flooding resulting from runoff in burn scars. Governor Grisham emphasized that the situation remained precarious, with at least three emergency rescues conducted and the potential for an increase in such operations. She urged people to adhere to evacuation directives and emphasized the dangers of attempting to cross floodwaters.