South Fork Fire; Salt Fire Updates 6/17/2024
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on wildfires that are requiring the attention of tribal, federal, state, and local resources in New Mexico. The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire are burning on Mescalero tribal land, near Ruidoso. Both fires are being managed by Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue and Bureau of Indian Affairs. A Complex Incident Management Team is on order.
South Fork Fire
Acres 360 estimates
Start Date/ Time: June 17, 2024; 9 a.m.
Cause: Under investigation
The location: Rio Ruidoso, west of the Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso
Ownership: Tribal
Structure Threat Multiple structures at risk Unknown structures are lost
Sources:Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, US Forest Service, various aviation assets Complex Incident Management Team on the order.
Containment: 0%
Fuels: Mixed conifer
Date/Time/Update:The South Fork Fire was discovered at 9 a.m. on Monday 17 June 2024. It is situated on the tribal land of the Rio Ruidoso near Ruidoso, NM. The types of fuel in the area are mixed conifer. Many structures are in danger and there is no way to determine the amount of structures destroyed. Evacuations are being issued from the village of Ruidoso. The fire’s growth has been swift with intense fire behavior. Long range spotting, extreme heat, with plume dominance. The estimated size of the fire is 360 acres and has zero percent control. The reason for the fire is being investigated.
Operations The fire is being controlled through Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, however, the fire is scheduled to be transferred onto the Complex Incident Management Team. Due to the fire’s activity and rapid expansion, both engine and hand crews were unable to get to the front of the fire. air resources have been conducting droppings all throughout the day. Numerous resources are responding to the neighborhoods around them to provide the protection of structures.
Conditions: Temperature is 82 degrees, with humidity of 8percent and winds coming out of the Southwest at a speed of 23mph with speed gusts up at 30 or more mph. Tonight Smoke effects. The skies are mostly clear with a low of 58. Southwest winds between 15 and 20 mph, then decreasing to 10 to 15 mph by midnight. Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high of 86. Southwest winds of 10-15 mph.
Smoke People who are at risk of being exposed to smoke from wildfires must be aware of the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to decide the safety of being outdoors. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Evacuations/Closures:Currently evacuating Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Ponderosa, Alpine Village, Cedar Creek. There is no information on the number of residents who have been evacuated at the moment. “SET” status for West Gavilan, Sun Valley, Sierra Vista, Villa Madonna, Ski Sun Road, and the areas to the to the west of HWY 48.
Residents are urged to go and go to Ruidoso Convention Center at Ruidoso Convention Center, Sierra Blanca Dr, Ruidoso 88345, New Mexico. the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s evacuation facility is for Reservation residents is located at the Community Center Gymnasium.
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Salt Fire
Location: Mescalero Reservation, Otero County, Southwest of Ruidoso
Size: 35 acres
Threats: Yes. Hwy 70 at Casinos and 244
Sources: BIA, Mescalero, Forest Service, multiple aviation assets
Fire Activity: Active
Evacuations: Apache Summit being evacuated
Weather: 89 Temp, 18 MPH, 10 %RH
