Two Wildfires Burning in Ruidoso, New Mexico: 1,400 Structures Lost, Thousands Evacuated

Ruidoso, New Mexico United States of America
Approximately 1,400 structures have been lost due to the fires.
Both fires are burning on Mescalero Tribal and U.S. Forest Service land, as well as areas around Ruidoso.
Evacuation centers have been set up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods and Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell.
Heavy rain and flash flooding hit the Ruidoso area on June 20.
One fatality has been reported in relation to the South Fork Fire: Patrick Pearson (60-year-old man).
Ruidoso residents were ordered to evacuate due to the nearby wildfires. All roads into Ruidso are closed and state police are barricading entry points.
The South Fork Fire has burned over 16,000 acres and destroyed around 1,400 structures. The Salt Fire has grown to about 5,200 acres.
Two wildfires, the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, continue to burn in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Two Wildfires Burning in Ruidoso, New Mexico: 1,400 Structures Lost, Thousands Evacuated

Two wildfires, the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, continue to burn in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The fires have caused significant damage and forced the evacuation of thousands of people since their start on June 17. According to reports from various sources, approximately 1,400 structures have been lost due to the fires.

The causes of both fires remain under investigation. One fatality has been reported in relation to the South Fork Fire; Patrick Pearson, a 60-year-old man was found dead on the side of the road near the Swiss Chalet Motel during this fire.

Both fires are burning on Mescalero Tribal and U.S. Forest Service land, as well as areas around Ruidoso. The Complex Incident Management Team is managing both fires.

Heavy rain and flash flooding hit the Ruidoso area on June 20, causing debris, ash, and hail to flow through Cedar Creek. This rainstorm will help control the fires but they are still expected to continue for several days.

The South Fork Fire has burned over 16,000 acres and destroyed around 1,400 structures. The Salt Fire has grown to about 5,200 acres.

Ruidoso residents were ordered to evacuate due to the nearby wildfires. All roads into Ruidoso are closed and state police are barricading entry points. Evacuation centers have been set up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods and Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell.

The New Mexico Forestry Division could not immediately identify the cause of either fire, but officials urged residents to remain calm and heed authorities' instructions.

Ruidoso is a high-risk area due to its thick forests surrounding the town. The village has worked with local, state, and federal authorities on a wildfire protection plan since being deemed a high-risk area in 2000.



Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Could not immediately identify the cause of either fire.
  • The number of structures lost may be an estimate and could change.

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Approximately 1,400 structures have been lost and around 8,00 people have been evacuated.
    • The cause of the fires remains under investigation.
    • Patrick Pearson, 60, was found dead on the side of the road near the Swiss Chalet Motel during the South Fork Fire.
  • Accuracy
    • The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have burned over 20,000 acres with 0% containment in southern New Mexico.
    • The Salt Fire is making a significant run toward Ruidoso Downs, posing an imminent threat. A mandatory evacuation is in effect.
    • A Complex Incident Management Team is managing both fires.
    • Some residents chose to stay behind during the mandatory evacuation order and their exact number is unknown.
    • Communication systems for first responders are in place, but cellular towers are currently non-operational.
    • Grisham requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden due to the extensive damage and ongoing threats from the wildfires.
    • At least three emergency water rescues had taken place at the time of the news conference with more expected.
    • Do not try and cross through any flooding anywhere or attempt to cross any flooded areas on foot or otherwise as it’s incredibly dangerous.
    • Skeletal remains were found in the driver’s seat of a burned vehicle during the South Fork Fire. The person remains unidentified and no legible identification documents were found in the vehicle.
    • A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for south-central Lincoln County until 5 p.m. MT.
    • Evacuations remain in place for the reservation, Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. Road closures are also in effect.
    • Reports that one of Ruidoso’s main grocery stores was destroyed by the Ruidoso fires are wrong. The store is currently closed as per Ruidoso’s evacuation guidelines.
    • Patrick Pearson, 60, was found dead on the side of the road near the Swiss Chalet Motel during the South Fork Fire. He is remembered as a devoted father and talented musician by loved ones.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Two people have been killed by wildfires in New Mexico.
    • Heavy rain and flash flooding hit the Ruidoso area where the fires are located, causing debris, ash and hail to flow through Cedar Creek.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Two people have been killed by wildfires in New Mexico.[
    • Approximately 1,400 structures have been lost.
    • The South Fork fire has burned over 16,000 acres and is responsible for most of the damage.
    • Heavy rain and flash flooding hit the Ruidoso area where the fires are located.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

91%

  • Unique Points
    • Ruidoso residents were ordered to evacuate due to nearby wildfires.
    • Last month, Blue 2 Fire burned over 7,500 acres and caused $25 million in damage.
  • Accuracy
    • Approximately 1,400 structures have been lost and around 8,00 people have been evacuated.
    • The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have burned over 20,000 acres with 0% containment in southern New Mexico.
    • At least three emergency water rescues had taken place at the time of the news conference with more expected.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority, but no formal or blatant logical fallacies were found. The author uses phrases like 'catastrophic damage' and 'high-risk area' to describe the potential impact of the wildfire on Ruidoso, which could be considered inflammatory. Additionally, the author mentions that officials deemed Ruidoso a high-risk area in 2000 and that it was ranked first in the state for significant risk of catastrophic fire by the New Mexico Forestry Division and second in the country by the U.S. Forestry Service. This information is presented as factual, making it an appeal to authority.
    • ]The town has worked with local, state and federal authorities on a wildfire protection plan.[/
    • In 2000, officials deemed Ruidoso a high-risk area because of the thick forests surrounding the town that can serve as fuel for wildfire, resulting in 'catastrophic' damage to residential properties, the water supply and the local population.
    • [The New Mexico Forestry Division ranked the town first in the state for significant risk of catastrophic fire, and the U.S. Forestry Service ranked it second in the country.]
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication