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Daily Update, Friday, June 21, 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 – 16,349; Salt – 7,652                    

Start Date: June 17, 2024 

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

Personnel: 1,006 

Containment: 0% 

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper  

Resources:  22 Crews, 87 Engines, 15 dozers, and 16 water tenders.  There are also helicopters and air tankers available for bucket and retardant drops if the need arises. 

Highlights: Utility services – including electricity, water, internet and phones – remain shutdown across the South Fork and Salt fires. Power and service outages will continue to impact communications, making it difficult to contact residents and visitors in the area. 

Fire Activity: The South Fork and Salt fires experienced minimal fire behavior on Thursday due to the variable precipitation on Wednesday and persistent high humidity into Thursday. Precipitation ranged from substantial rain and hail (up to 1.62”) to scarce sprinkles and scattered showers throughout day and overnight firefighting operations. 

The cooler weather and moderate fire conditions observed on Thursday are expected to continue into Friday. Firefighters will continue constructing firelines and utilizing hand crews and bulldozers to protect homes, properties and critical infrastructure. 

Crews on the South Fork fire continue engaging the fire with hand tools directly at its edge, utilizing hose along handlines and dozer lines to extinguish smoldering fuels and building fireline with machinery. Firefighters will also continue to conduct mop up operations, extinguishing and/or removing burning material along the fire’s edge to reduce the likelihood of fire creeping past control lines, where feasible. 

Firefighters on the Salt fire will construct control lines, prepare new line where needed and conduct point protection to protect private property and critical infrastructure in the area. Ground and air ignitions will be used where needed to burn out fuels between constructed firelines and active fire. 

Damage and structure assessments have commenced, along with adding additional protection needs as they are discovered. 

Weather: Cooler temperatures, much higher relative humidity and light winds are expected on Friday. Thunderstorms are expected to develop bringing the potential for areas of heavy rain, flash flooding, and debris flows this afternoon. 

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: Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for several areas in and near both the South Fork and Salt fires. Evacuation information can be found at www.nmfireinfo.com. Road and trail closures are in effect throughout the fire area. Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed; the open evacuation route is Highway 70 to Roswell. State Hwy 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220. US 70 is closed from mm 249 (intersection NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo. 

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on 6/20/2024 for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to provide enhanced safety of firefighting personnel and the public. 

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

More information:  

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

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HWY 70 by Bent is CLOSED due to a fatality. NM State Police is on scene. NO ETA when the HWY will re-open.

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The Mescalero Apache Tribe wants to make it clear that the items, efforts and activities at the evacuation sites are solely to accommodate the evacuees, residents affected by the fire, and firefighters/emergency personnel.

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There are additional law enforcement from other agency’s or tribes that have been commissioned to enforce and carry out tribal laws on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. If you are being given lawful orders please obey the commands.

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The Summer Foods Program will resume June 21, 2024

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There is a Certified Nurse Practioner on-site at the Mescalero Community Center offering Wound Care & Basic Medical Assesment/Exams for any fire firghters/emergency support staff, community members & evacuees in need.

It will be helpful to bring a medication list and any basic health notes for your visit.

MAT appreciates this emergency service support!

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The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s official evacuation sites are located at the  Mescalero Community Center Gym and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center.

Both sites are active with evacuees due to being displaced as a result of the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire.

We have opened our doors to tribal and non-tribal individuals who had to leave their home and seek shelter and most importantly, a safe place to stay.

We are extremely grateful for the willingness of our tribal members, neighboring towns and villages, community groups/organizations, and complete strangers for the donations being dropped off at these sites.

Donated items for men, women, children and infants can be found at the evacuation sites as well as hot or on-the-go meals all due to donations and volunteers.

Due to the evacuation sites, Tribal departments and businesses are closed. Only essential employees who provide emergency duties or volunteer work are still working within their respected departments/programs.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe wants to make it clear that the items, efforts and activities at the evacuation sites are solely to accommodate the evacuees and firefighters/emergency personnel.

Other than providing emergency response, volunteering or seeking shelter, individuals need to stay clear of both evacuation sites. If you have not been displaced by the fires, we ask that we refrain from loitering at the evacuation sites.

In order for the Mescalero Apache Tribe and emergency response teams to successfully carry out public safety works, these sites must be available to evacuees only.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and generous donations! We are still accepting donations.

For more information please call the Tribal EOC (Emergency Operation Center) at 575-464-9214 or the donation line at 575-464-9920.

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Daily Update, Thursday, June 20, 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: 824 Containment: 0%     

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper Resources:  Crews, heavy equipment, engines, helicopters and air tankers.  

Highlights: A community meeting is schedule for 5 pm, Thursday, June 20, 2024. All community members are welcome to join via https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5. Please note, a Facebook account is not needed to participate in the live stream.

Fire Activity:  Wednesday, the South Fork Fire experienced active fire behavior through the early part of the day until storms moved into the fire area. Firefighters observed torching trees, uphill runs where wind and terrain aligned and short-range spotting across the South Fork and Salt fires, including within the dead/down fuels of the 2012 Little Bear Fire. In addition to responding to and catching several spot fires yesterday, firefighters worked to secure a portion of the South Fork eastern perimeter from Cedar Creek to eagle Creek (~3 miles) and the south side from Cedar Creek to Flume Canyon.   The north and eastern sides of the South Fork Fire remain the focus for today’s operations, including North Fork and South Fork of Eagle Creek, and along the Rio Ruidoso.  Crews will continue constructing firelines to prevent further fire growth, while continuing to protect homes, properties, and critical infrastructure. Ground and aerial ignitions may be used where needed to strengthen protection of values at risk and burn out fuels between constructed firelines and the main fire.   

Weather: On Wednesday, the South Fork and Salt fires received varying amounts of rain.  The highest rainfall recorded was 1.62” along Skyline Ridge near the Monjeau Fire Lookout on the northern side of the South Fork Fire, while rainfall on the Salt Fire measured .05”. Thursday’s incoming weather will produce clouds, cooler temperatures (68-75 degrees) and higher day/night relative humidity. Storms will likely develop over the lower east slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in the afternoon and into the early evening, producing 20-30mph gusts. Heavy rain, flash floods and debris flows are a potential risk from these storms through the week.  

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.   Road and trail closures are in effect throughout the fire area. Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed; the open evacuation route is Highway 70 to Roswell. State Hwy 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220. US 70 is closed from mm 249 (intersection NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo (https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire).   

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

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

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