EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The South Fork and Salt Fires are experiencing limited fire activity Thursday morning, June 27, due to scattered storms and crews working to extinguish hot spots, the New Mexico Forestry Division said.
The Forestry Division says the South Fork Fire is estimated at 17,569 acres with 69 percent containment. The Salt Fire is estimated at 7,939 acres with 66 percent containment.
The Village of Ruidoso provided an update Wednesday evening, June 26, stating that all missing residents have been accounted for and that the number of fatalities still stands at two.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez held a press conference Wednesday morning, responding to the recent concerns of potential price gouging within Lincoln County, aiding those affected by the wildfires.
Torrez said price gouging by hotels, contractors, and retailers will be met with legal action and anyone engaged in fraud will be criminally prosecuted.
Torrez also said that anyone who “takes advantage of our people during a crisis like this should expect to face the full force of the New Mexico Department of Justice.”
Torrez also asks for the community to report any suspicious behavior to the New Mexico Department of Justice.
To report any suspicious or criminal activity, click here and click “Submit a complaint.”
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to return, which could bring the risk of flash floods and debris flow, according to the Forestry Division.
“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,” the Forestry Division said.
The Forestry Division says an interactive property map is now available for the Village of Ruidoso to assist residents in identifying areas that are accessible.
To access that map, click here: Village of Ruidoso interactive property map.
The New Mexico Forestry Division is also asking residents and visitors to celebrate the Fourth of July without fireworks.
The Forestry Division says the Mescalero Apache Reservation, Lincoln National Forest, and municipal areas have areas that have not received significant rainfall, and fireworks could start new fires.
The City of Alamogordo has also canceled its annual fireworks extravaganza.
The City says “The City, county, and partner agencies are working tirelessly to battle the Salt and
South Fork fires. Helping our neighboring communities is our priority. As such, the City does not
want to divert resources from the relief effort or cause additional strain on the first responders,
many of whom are also using their personal days to assist.”
No evacuations are currently in place. However, there will be some areas that are considered “no entry/exclusion zones” that will not be accessible to residents because they are considered crime scenes, according to the Village of Ruidoso’s Facebook page.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced this past weekend that it’s offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for starting the fires.
A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued last week for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, roads, and trails are closed to the public.
A temporary flight restriction is also in place over the fire area. This prohibits any and all drone use by the public.
Tribal members who have been displaced outside of the Mescalero Apache Reservation can contact the Tribe’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help them get back to the reservation.
Those who are stranded out of town at other evacuation sites can call the EOC at (575) 464-9214 for more details.
For those seeking reunification with friends and loved ones, call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
Residents returning who need food, water, personal hygiene items, or toiletries can click here: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire.
For the latest on road closures, click here and scroll to the “Evacuations” section: https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire.
Read: Read More