Tribe’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is located in the West Conference Room at Tribal Administration Offices located at 108 Central Ave Mescalero, NM. All inquiries directed to the Tribe in relation to the South Fork and Salt Fires should be directed to 575-464-9214 (telephone) or 575-464-9301 (facsimile). For donations, please call 575-464-9920.

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Daily Update June 19, 2024

Public Information Line:575-323-8258 

Media Information Line: 575-323-8053 

Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm 

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov  

Acres: South Fork – 16,335; Salt – 7,071           Start Date: June 17, 2024 

Location: Ruidoso, NM Personnel: 254 

Containment: 0%       Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper 

Resources:  Crews, heavy equipment, engines, helicopters and air tankers. 

Highlights: Southwest Area Team 5, led by Incident Commander Dave Gesser, assumed command of the South Fork and Salt fires at 6:00AM, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. 

Fire Activity: Extreme fire behavior occurred across the South Fork and Salt fires on Tuesday, with crowning and long-range spotting observed. Aviation resources, including fixed wing air tankers and helicopters, conducted water and retardant drops throughout the day. Air resources worked in conjunction with ground resources, firefighters and heavy equipment, to continue constructing fireline including around structures. Firefighters quickly secured a spot fire on the South Fork Fire Tuesday. 

Fire crews, heavy equipment and additional resources will continue building fireline on both the South Fork and Salt fires while air resources will assist from the sky with ongoing water and retardant drops. Firefighters will be alert for spot fires and respond quickly to all fire threats. Changing wind direction and potential for afternoon thunderstorms could create challenging conditions for firefighter in the air and on the ground. Firefighting resources continue to arrive and will be briefed on current fire conditions before going to the fireline. 

Weather: The fire area experienced strong southwest flow yesterday. Tuesday night, winds shifted out of the east/southeast to begin bringing gulf moisture into the Sacramento Mountains Wednesday. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms to the east of the fire area are expected with temperatures in the mid to high 80s and 10-20mph winds. 

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be observed across both the South Fork and Salt fires today. Individuals sensitive to smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. For more information visit Air Quality: https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html

Evacuations: A State of Emergency for the Mescalero Apache Reservation has been implemented by the Tribal Council. Evacuations remain in-place. Village of Ruidoso and City of Ruidoso Downs are in “GO” evacuation status. Road closures are also in effect. Numerous additional evacuation orders have been issued including Fantasy Lane, Summit area, Botella Road, Snow Springs, Fence Canyon, Whitetail, and Chihuahua Well. Please stay out of the fire area to allow firefighters safe access into the area and allow them to work safely.  There are hazards in the area including fire weakened trees, downed power lines, and potential for exposed gas lines. 

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We want to express our sincere gratitude to the people who have donated to our Go Fund Me. We have MET OUR GOAL. Rest assure the donations will go directly to our fire support efforts and we still accepting donations. The Mescalero Apache Tribe is incredibly grateful for all the amazing people who made our goal reachable! ‘IXÉHE!

Reminders: Evacuation sites at the IMG Convention Center & Mescalero Community Center Gym are OPEN to any evacuees as a result of the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire (tribal or non-tribal). Call our Tribal EOC at 575-9214 for more info.

Mescalero Conservation is helping house livestock and pets. They will provide food and water for such animals. They can be reached at 575-464-9323.

Official Link: https://gofund.me/426794a2

Donations: 575-464-9220

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Salt Fire   

Location: Mescalero Reservation, Otero County, Southwest of Ruidoso   

Size: 5,557 acres estimated 

Fire Activity: Active 

Resources: BIA, Mescalero, US Forest Service, multiple aviation assets. CIMT will take control of the Salt Fire in addition to the South Fork Fire Wednesday, June 18 at 6 am.  

Weather: Tonight, a low temp of 56, SW winds 5 to 15 mph, 12-16% RH. Tomorrow, scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 5-10 mph increasing to 10-15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.   

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South Fork Fire – update June 18 at 9:00 pm

Location: Mescalero Reservation, Otero County

Size: 15,276 acres per Incident Status Summary on the form called the “209”

Containment: 0%

Threats: Yes. Estimated 1,400 structures lost

Resources: Erick Kimbrell, IC Type 3, BIA, Mescalero, Forest Service, multiple aviation assets, Lincoln County, Otero County, Village of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Forestry Division. Complex Incident Management (CIM) Team arrived at 1300 today for inbrief and shadow. CIM takes command of the incident tomorrow 0600

Fire Activity: Crowning, long-range spotting, crews were able to go direct when conditions allowed

Evacuations: Rough estimate of 8,000 people. We will be getting confirmation in the morning

Shelters: So far we have 11 shelters that are confirmed. We are getting reports of many independent shelters opening and we will get more numbers in the morning.

Weather: Tonight a low temp of 56, SW winds 5 to 15 mph, 12-16% RH

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6/18 at approximately 7PM, cell phone and internet connection has been restored at the Tribal Administration Offices.

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The number to the CHR on-call work cell is (575) 973-2577

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Essential employees (Tribal employees) must report to duty 6/18/24.

Tribal employees who are not considered essential employees are highly encouraged to volunteer at one of the evacuation centers.

Volunteer sites are Mescalero Community Center or IMG Convention Center and report to Site Supervisor.

Site Supervisor for Mescalero Community Center: Alvin Benally

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Official Go Fund Me link to help support the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Please click the link below.

https://gofund.me/1b828d91

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We are aware of connectivity issues with the internet and cell phone service.

There is cut fiber in Alamogordo and burned fiber in Ruidoso.

There is no estimated time of when the lines will be restored, as of 4PM 6/18.

Due to no internet or cell phone connection at the Tribal Administration Offices, the only avenues for contacting anybody in office is by landline.

Our office phone number is 575-464-4494.

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