A wildfire burning more than 5,000 acres has caused the immediate evacuation of the Village of Ruidoso. Photo by Darnell Benally

The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire are burning on Mescalero tribal land, US Forest Service land, and the area surrounding Ruidoso. Both fires are currently being managed by Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue and Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

As of Monday evening the South Fork Fire was already estimated at 5,252 acres and zero percent containment.  Fire activity wasex pected throughout the night due to winds and low relative humidity. As of last night’s update, multiple structures were under threat and it was not known how many structures had already been lost. Ten Type-1 Hotshot crews were on scene or en route. The incident is to be transferred Tuesday to a Complex Incident Management Team.  

The South Fork Fire was discovered at 9 a.m., Monday and grew rapidly with extreme fire behavior. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

The Village of Ruidoso was placed under immediate mandatory evacuation and US 70 was closed from four miles east of Mescalero leaving the only available evacuation route of Sudderth to Highway 70, leading out to Roswell. 

Mandatory evacuations due to the South Fork Fire include Ruidoso Downs, Village of Ruidoso, Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Ponderosa Heights, Alpine Village, Lower Eagle Creek, Alto Lakes, Sonterra 1-3, Alto, West Gavilan, Sun Valley, Sierra Vista, Villa Madonna, Ski Run Road, areas west of Highway 48, and Gavilan Canyon Rd. Evacuate via Hwy 70 towards Roswell. Call 575-937-7785 for assistance.

For more updates, visit the Village South Fork Fire Information Hub, and Facebook page.

Map Courtesy arcgis.com