Authorities ordered thousands of people to evacuate Monday due to “extreme” wildfires in New Mexico.
“Evacuate now. Do not gather your belongings or try to defend your home. Evacuate immediately,” said an official in the village of Ruidoso, home to 7,000 residents. Said Monday night.
“The fire is experiencing rapid growth and extreme fire behavior,” New Mexico Forest Service officials said. Fox Weather report“Several structures are under threat. [an] The number of buildings lost is unknown.”
The wildfire, named the South Fork Fire, was first spotted around 9 a.m. Monday, according to Fox Weather. It was discovered near tribal land in Ruidoso and quickly spread to thousands of acres as the day went on. Low humidity and winds reaching 20 to 30 miles per hour fueled the blaze, the station said.
IMMEDIATE MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER FOR VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO – EVACUATE NOW!!
An immediate mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the entire village of Ruidoso from Sudderth/Mechem to Freedom Bloom at Big O Tire. Do not gather possessions or attempt to defend your home. Evacuate now. pic.twitter.com/l1U5oYigeF— Village of Ruidoso (@VillageRuidoso) June 18, 2024
Officials have warned residents to evacuate as the fire continues to grow. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had burned nearly 14,000 acres, Fox Weather reported. Citing officials, the station said no areas have been contained.
Emergency officials set up evacuation shelters in the town of Roswell, about a half-mile from Ruidoso, the media reported. Officials are also using the state fairgrounds to house livestock displaced by the fire. (Related article: Texas wildfires grow to largest in state history overnight)
BREAKING: Residents of the southern New Mexico village of Ruidoso were ordered to evacuate their homes Monday with no time to pack their belongings due to a rapidly spreading wildfire.
information: https://t.co/eMOoRmDANL pic.twitter.com/zWYqmA9Khd
— KWTX News 10 (@kwtx) June 18, 2024
A second fire, dubbed the “Salt Fire,” broke out in the Mescalero Reservation and spread to about 5,000 acres on Tuesday, sparking more evacuations, the outlet reported.
The National Weather Service in El Paso, Texas issued A fire alert announcing a highway closure on behalf of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
“The 40 mile per hour winds blew the fire along the ridge and we literally saw 100 foot flames,” said Steve Jones, who evacuated from Ruidoso overnight. Said “That’s why it’s consumed so much land.”
“Traffic was backed up, speeds were slowed down and people’s nerves were a little on edge,” he added.
Jones said he had no internet service or cellphone service during the evacuation, according to the outlet. Ruidoso residents reportedly began using AM radio for updates as they prepared to evacuate.
The New Mexico Public Utilities Company cut off power to the village because of the wildfire, the media reported.
Fox Weather noted that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
