SANTA FE, N.M. — Thousands of residents fled their homes as a wildfire swept into the mountain village of Ruidoso in southern New Mexico on Tuesday, destroying or damaging more than 500 structures, including an unknown number of homes.
The governor declared a county-wide state of emergency that extended to neighboring tribal lands and deployed National Guard troops after residents fled under evacuation orders Monday with little time to rescue belongings.
“The horrific South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have ravaged our lands and property, and forced thousands to flee their homes,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “We are deploying every available resource to control these fires.”
There have been no reports of any serious injuries, Lujan Grisham told reporters at a news conference in Santa Fe Tuesday afternoon.
But she said the magnitude of the fires is beyond local control and requires immediate state intervention to protect public health, safety and welfare.
More than 500 structures have been damaged and the entire village of Ruidoso, population 7,000, has been evacuated, she said. She said it’s unclear how many homes were engulfed by the fast-moving flames because the extreme fire activity continues to prevent authorities from safely accessing the area to assess the damage.
“It’s too dangerous,” she said.
State Forester Laura McCarthy described the fires as “dangerous and fast moving” in strong winds up to 20 mph.
“Extreme fire behavior,” she said.
AP
