Daily Update, Saturday, June 29, 2024

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8am-12am)

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7am-10pm)

Fire Information Phone:575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.govAcres: South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939                                         

Start Date: June 17, 2024

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, NM                                                

Personnel: 780

Containment: South Fork – 77%; Salt – 77%

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper                                          

Resources: The South Fork and Salt fires are currently staffed with 18 crews, 4 helicopters, 31 engines,
4 bulldozers, and 10 water tenders. 

Highlights: As of today, Saturday June 29, the South Fork and Salt fires burned roughly 25,000 acres across private, public, and tribal lands.

Mescalero Apache Reservation evacuation and donation sites: Evacuation sites on the Mescalero Apache Reservation are now closed. Donations will be taken and distributed to tribal members in need at the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center from 9 AM – 4 PM daily. FEMA is located outside the Mescalero Community Center from 8 AM – 6:30 PM (until further notice). They are assisting the public with general government assistance (unemployment, EBT, etc.). 

Village of Ruidoso reentry: All No Entry/Exclusion zones are now open. There are still firefighters, firefighting equipment, utility company workers and vehicles travelling through the area.  Their work is critical to restore utilities and services, and conditions in the exclusion zones pose a safety risk to the emergency personnel as well as the public. Please be patient and allow them to complete their work. Contact the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Centers for more information. 

Fire Activity: Friday’s clear skies, warmer temperatures, and decreased humidity created an environment favorable for the remaining isolated heat sources to dry out and increase combustion rates, making them easier to detect and extinguish. Additionally, thanks to infrared detection, ten remaining hot spots were identified and are a primary focus for firefighters this weekend. Crews will also conduct suppression repair, including chipping operations near Villa Madonna and repairing dozer lines where needed. 

Weather: The South Fork and Salt fires experienced a brief drying trend as scattered showers moved away from the area Thursday through Friday. Saturday brings with it warmer temperatures and increased potential for scattered afternoon rains. 

Smoke: Smoke will continue to have the biggest impact during the late overnight and morning hours for areas near the fires. Additional details are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05.

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lincoln/alerts-notices/?aid=88199. The Mescalero Apache Tribe issued a Class V/Stage II – Extreme Fire Restriction Notice on June 28, 2024. More information is available at https://mescaleroapachetribe.com. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources. Visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html for more information.

More information:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05

Lincoln County Government: www.lincolncountynm.gov

Mescalero Apache Tribe: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com 

Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire

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Daily Update, Friday, June 28, 2024

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8am-12am) 

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7am-10pm) 

Fire Information Phone:575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8am-8pm) 

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8am-8pm) 

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov 

Acres: South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939

Start Date: June 17, 2024 

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, NM Personnel: 860

Containment: South Fork – 73%; Salt – 71% 

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper  

Resources: The South Fork and Salt fires are currently staffed with 21 crews, 4 helicopters, 36 engines, 5 bulldozers, and 11 water tenders. 

Highlights:

Reentry: As exclusion zones re-open, please remember that there are still firefighters, firefighting equipment, utility company workers and vehicles working in the area. Their work is critical to restore utilities and services, and conditions in the exclusion zones pose a safety risk to the emergency personnel as well as the public. Please be patient and allow them to complete their work in Upper Canyon and Cedar Creek. 

“NO ENTRY/EXCLUSION ZONES” remain in place in some areas of the village. Visit https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire or contact the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Centers for more information. 

Tribal evacuation and donation sites: Evacuation sites on the Mescalero Apache Reservation will be closing operations by Sunday, June 30, 2024. These sites include the Mescalero Community Center and the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center. 

As of Friday, June 28, 2024, all donations and tribal distribution of donated items to persons/families affected by the fires will be at the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center from 8 AM – 6:30 PM daily. 

Fire Activity: The South Fork and Salt fires experienced limited fire activity as storms moved over the area on Thursday. With those storms, several lightning strikes occurred, causing one confirmed fire, which crews suppressed immediately after discovery. Firefighters will monitor for additional ignitions as wet fuels begin drying out through the day on Friday. 

Weather: Much of the fire area will continue a slight drying trend until isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms return. Rain chances increase again on Saturday, with slow moving storms capable of producing high rain rates and flash floods. 

Smoke: Smoke will continue to have the biggest impact during the late overnight and morning hours for areas near the fires. Additional details are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05. 

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lincoln/alerts-notices/?aid=88199.  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources. Visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html for more information.

More information:  

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05

Lincoln County Government: www.lincolncountynm.gov

Mescalero Apache Tribe: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com

Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire

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Evacuation sites on the reservation will be closing operations by Sunday, June 30, 2024 These sites include the Mescalero Community Center and IMG Convention Center.

As of tomorrow Friday, June 28, 2024 distribution of donated items to persons/families affected by the fires will be at IMG Convention Center from 8AM-630PM.

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The Mescalero Elderly Program has frozen meal dinners and water to GIVE AWAY TO ALL IN NEED.

First come, first serve until gone!

They are open M-F 8AM-4:30PM

530 Lipan Avenue Mescalero, NM 88340

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Daily Update, Thursday, June 27, 2024 

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-4341

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 

Fire Information Phone:575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258  

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 

Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm 

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov 

Acres: South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939

Start Date: June 17, 2024 

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, NM Personnel: 900

Containment: South Fork – 69%; Salt – 66% 

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper  

Resources: The South Fork and Salt fires are currently staffed with 21 crews, 4 helicopters, 42 engines, 9 bulldozers, and 12 water tenders. 

Highlights: 

Interactive property map updates available for Village of Ruidoso. Property access status updates are available, including properties available for re-entry and those in the No Entry/Exclusion Zones. Use www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire for more information.  

Reminder: Celebrate July 4th without fireworks. Fireworks can cause new starts in the area. Please celebrate the holiday without fireworks this year, so firefighters and cooperators can complete their efforts across the South Fork and Salt Fires. 

Fire Activity: The South Fork and Salt fires are experiencing limited fire activity, thanks in part to daily scattered storms, and the hard work firefighters are putting in to find and extinguish hot spots. Occasional smoke will be visible as pockets of unburned fuels and could ignite, even as monsoonal weather patterns move into the area. 

Crews continue to mop up and begin to repair actions taken by firefighters to prevent the South Fork and Salt fires from growing. Cooperators, and utility providers are working to address service needs for communities. As a reminder, conditions are dynamic and will remain that way through the duration of the incident. Maintain awareness and reduce your speed while traveling through the area. 

Weather: Temperatures will remain in the mid-high 80s. Scattered showers and thunderstorms return, bringing along the risk of flash floods and debris flows.  

Smoke: Smoke production will remain light to moderate with the highest impacts during the early morning and late evening hours. Additional details are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05. 

Reentry: No evacuations are in place. However, designated “NO ENTRY/EXCLUSION ZONES” remain in place in some areas of the village. Visit https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire or contact the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Centers for more information.   

Tribal members who have been displaced outside of the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the fires are strongly encouraged to contact the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help you and your families get back to the reservation. If you’re stranded out of town at other evacuation sites, please call the EOC at 575-464-9214 for more details. 

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lincoln/alerts-notices/?aid=88199.  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources. Visit https://www.tfr.faa.gov for more information. 

More information: 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05 

Lincoln County Government: www.lincolncountynm.gov 

Mescalero Apache Tribe: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com 

Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire 

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Our hope came in the form of charitable people who showed up at our doorstep and gave us their time and energy without being called upon.

With over 100 volunteers, the Mescalero Apache Tribe was able to establish two evacuation sites on the reservation.

These sites could not be functional without the assistance of the volunteers.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe wishes to acknowledge and thank the incredible people who gave their time volunteering as a result of the South Fork and Salt Fires.

Your acts of kindness do not go unnoticed.

“The objectives of the Emergency Operations Center are to protect our people, property, and our homelands safely. This would not have been possible without the help of volunteers, tribal employees, and assistance from the community, “lamented Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Manager Thomas LaPaz. “We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. We will continue to need your support in this long recovery process moving forward. Again, thank you.”

Saying thank you simple isn’t enough for the amount of gratitude we feel towards these special people, but we certainly want to express how greatly and positively affected we are by their service.

We are genuinely grateful for each and every one of you.

‘Ixéhe.

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FEMA will be set up in a trailer on the upper parking lot at the Mescalero Community Center. They will have individuals available for ANYONE wanting one-on-one help with applying for disaster survivor assistance.

Mescalero Community Center

8AM – 6:30PM starting June 26, 2024

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Daily Update, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-4341

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 

Fire Information Phone:575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258  

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 

Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm 

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov 

Acres: South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939                          

Start Date: June 17, 2024 

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 949 

Containment: South Fork – 64%; Salt – 55% 

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper  

Resources: The South Fork and Salt fires are currently staffed with 21 crews, 6 helicopters, 54 engines, 8 bulldozers, and 13 water tenders. 

Highlights: 

An interactive property map is now available for the Village of Ruidoso. An online map is available to assist residents in identifying the status of property access, including properties available for re-entry and those in the No Entry/Exclusion Zones. See “More Information” below for the map link.  

Residents and visitors are encouraged to celebrate our Nation’s Birthday, July 4th, without fireworks. We are getting close to celebrating our Nation’s Birthday, July 4th. The Mescalero Apache Reservation, Lincoln National Forest and municipal areas have areas that have not received significant rainfall, and fireworks could start new fires. Please celebrate without fireworks this year, so firefighters can complete their efforts to secure the perimeter of the South Fork and Salt fires. 

Slow down. Motorists are reminded to slow down while traveling on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. There is still active fire, fire personnel, equipment and utility vehicles along US Highway 70. Help keep firefighters and crews safe by slowing down while traveling through the area. 

Fire Activity: On Tuesday, as temperatures increased and fuels dried slightly, several smokes were observed by crews on the South Fork and Salt fires. This activity is the result of unburned and smoldering fuels igniting inside the fire area, including dead and downed trees/debris, snags, and stumps. Potential for these fuels to spread outside the current perimeter is minimal.  

A lot of activity is still occurring across the fire area as crews work through structural assessments of buildings impacted by the fire, mop up and begin suppression repair. Cooperators, including utility providers and others are also traveling within the fire area. Area and neighborhood status and conditions are dynamic and will remain that way through the duration of the incident. 

Weather: Temperatures will remain in the high 80s. Slow-moving scattered showers and thunderstorms will return in the afternoon, increasing the risk of flash floods and debris flows.  

Smoke: Smoke production will remain light to moderate on Tuesday with the highest impacts during the early morning and late evening hours. Additional details are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05. 

Reentry: No evacuations are in place. However, designated “NO ENTRY/EXCLUSION ZONES” remain in place in some areas of the village. Visit https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire or contact the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Centers for more information.   

Tribal members who have been displaced outside of the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the fires are strongly encouraged to contact the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help you and your families get back to the reservation. If you’re stranded out of town at other evacuation sites, please call the EOC at 575-464-9214 for more details. 

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lincoln/alerts-notices/?aid=88199.  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources. Visit https://www.tfr.faa.gov for more information.

More information:  

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05

Lincoln County Government: www.lincolncountynm.gov

Mescalero Apache Tribe: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com

Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire

Village of Ruidoso property status map: https://ruidoso.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=e5a6b23bd2934ed192373e9ccbb4aee2

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SLOW DOWN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FIREFIGHTERS

Chief of Police James Vepley is requesting motorists to slow down while traveling on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

There is still an active fire, fire personnel, equipment and utility vehicles along US Highway 70.

BIA has observed speeders doing in excess of 20 miles per hour over the speed limit on Highway 70 between the Summit and Route 4 (IMG turn off). 

BIA has partnered with New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and the Southwest Fire Incident Management Command Law Enforcement Liaison to lower the speed limit in the Summit area to 45 miles per hour.

The main concern from BIA is the safety of the firefighters who are still stationed in this area.

Officers will be issuing citations for traffic violations with assistance from New Mexico State Police.

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